Best Cracked Green Olive Walnut And Pomegranate Relish Recipes

CALABRIAN CRACKED OLIVES

Steps:

• Place Sicilian green olives in a resealable plastic bag, hit with mallet or hammer to crack the olives. Add olive oil, chili powder, parsley, garlic and vinegar. Mix well and serve.

CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Combine the heavy cream with the buttermilk or crème fraîche starter. Pour into a clean, warmed thermos or glass jar. Cover tightly and keep in a warm place for 6 to 8 hours. If using crème fraîche starter, keep covered for 24 hours. When the mixture has jelled and is almost firm, refrigerate. It will solidify further in the refrigerator.
• This amount, if made with Solait crème fraîche starter, will keep for a month in the refrigerator. If made with buttermilk it will keep for 10 days.
• To make more crème fraîche, use 2 tablespoons from the last batch and add it to a cup of cream. You can continue making more this way. After six months or so, a slightly fermented taste may develop, in which case it is time to start a new batch.

RED PEPPER DIP WITH WALNUTS AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Roast peppers and chili over a gas burner or under a broiler, turning frequently until blackened and blistered all over, about 12 minutes. Place in a covered bowl to steam for 10 minutes. Rub off skins; slit peppers open and remove stems, membranes and seeds. Spread peppers, smooth side up, on a paper towel and let drain for 10 minutes.
• In a food processor, grind walnuts and crackers with lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, cumin, salt and sugar until smooth. Add bell peppers and process until puréed and creamy. With machine on, add olive oil in a thin stream. Add chili to taste. If paste is too thick, thin with 1 to 2 tablespoons water. Refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, let dip come to room temperature and sprinkle with cumin and olive oil. Toast pitas in a 350-degree oven, and cut into triangles. Serve with dip.