Finely chopped tomatoes, peppers and parsley mingle with pomegranate molasses and chili in a bright, spoonable Turkish salad.
Draining the chopped tomatoes keeps Ezme thick enough to scoop instead of turning it into a watery salsa. Pepper paste brings depth, while sumac and pomegranate molasses add two different kinds of tartness.
Pulse the vegetables briefly rather than blending them smooth. Taste the chili paste before adding all the pul biber, since the combined heat depends on the brand of paste you use.
Method
Pulse the tomatoes, red bell pepper and green chili in a food processor until finely chopped but not pureed. Drain in a sieve for .
Finely chop the onion, garlic and parsley by hand or with a few short processor pulses. Whisk the red pepper paste, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, pul biber, sumac, dried mint, olive oil and salt in a serving bowl.
Fold the drained tomato mixture and onion mixture into the dressing. Stir well so the paste coats the vegetables evenly, then serve with a spoon.
Forkue tips
- Save the drained tomato juice for soup or a tomato sauce rather than adding it back to the salad.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days. Stir and spoon off excess liquid before serving; the vegetables soften and release more juice overnight.
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Kitchen gear
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Ezme: FAQ
Can I chop everything by hand?
Yes. A sharp knife gives more control over texture; aim for very small pieces so each spoonful contains all the vegetables.
What is pul biber?
It is a mildly hot crushed red pepper seasoning. Aleppo pepper flakes are a useful substitute with a similar gentle heat.
How do I store and reheat Ezme?
Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days. Stir and spoon off excess liquid before serving; the vegetables soften and release more juice overnight.
How long does Ezme take?
About 25 min in total: 25 min prep and 0 min cooking.
What do I need to make Ezme?
The key ingredients are tomatoes, red bell pepper, green chili, onion, garlic and parsley, plus pantry basics.
Any tips for Ezme?
Save the drained tomato juice for soup or a tomato sauce rather than adding it back to the salad.
