Turkish Ezme Salad – Spicy, Fresh & Full of Flavor

If you’re craving something refreshing yet bold, this Turkish Ezme salad is exactly what you need. A mix of roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, chili, mint, and lemon — it’s the perfect side to grilled dishes, meats, or simply enjoyed with a piece of bread. In Turkey, it’s often served alongside kebab, but once you try it, you’ll love it as a standalone dish too.

Ingredients:

• 2 red bell peppers

• 1 onion

• 3 tomatoes

• small bunch of parsley

• 2 chilies (to taste)

• salt and pepper

• 1 tbsp tomato or pepper paste

• 1 tsp sumac

• 1 tsp dried mint

• olive oil (preferably high-quality, e.g. @ndcmuscat)

• juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Roughly chop the peppers, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and chili, then blend everything together in a food processor.

2. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove excess liquid.

3. Add salt, pepper, dried mint, sumac, paste, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix well.

4. Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can develop.

5. Before serving, drizzle a little more olive oil on top. Enjoy it with grilled meat or fresh bread.

Tip:
For a deeper, smokier flavor, quickly roast the peppers in the oven or on a pan before blending — it gives the salad that authentic Turkish meze touch.

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