Traditional Muhammara (Syrian Hot Pepper Dip)

2 sweet bell peppers, seeded and quartered

3 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed

¾ cup toasted walnuts, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons Aleppo pepper

2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon cumin seeds, coarsely ground

salt to taste

½ cup olive oil

1 pinch sumac powder

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven s broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Place the bell peppers with cut sides down onto the prepared baking sheet; roast under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, 5 to 8 minutes.

Toast the bread slices in a toaster and let cool; place into a resealable plastic bag, squeeze out air, seal bag, and crush with a rolling pin to make crumbs.

Transfer peppers to a bowl and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Set aside until the skins of the peppers are loose, about 15 minutes; remove and discard skins. Mash the peeled peppers with a fork.

Combine mashed peppers, bread crumbs, walnuts, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper, pomegranate molasses, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor; pulse the mixture a few times to blend before running at lowest setting. Slowly stream olive oil into the pepper mixture as it blends until integrated completely; transfer mixture to a serving dish. Sprinkle sumac over the mixture to serve.