Cemen (Tomato and Red Pepper Pastes with Walnuts)

Cemen is a very tasty Turkish appetizer and breakfast dish made of tomato paste, red pepper paste, olive oil, walnuts, and spices. It is very nice spreading on a bread or cracker. You can make it hot or mild depending on the red pepper paste you use. I made it hot for my Turkish friends when I invited them to my house for breakfast. 

Cemen

Since they loved it, they wanted me to share my recipe with them. I also wanted to share the picture of my breakfast table to give you some ideas about what goes with Cemen. I am very sure that Americans will also love this dish as a  snack or appetizer for their gatherings.

This makes 5-10 servings.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp tomato paste (I use organic one)
3 tbsp red pepper paste (thick is better)
4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
2-3 tbsp good quality olive oil
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (but you can add more if you want)
1 1/2 tsp cumin

black pepper to taste

dried mint leaves to taste

salt (if needed)

My Breakfast Table

Instructions:
1- Put tomato and red pepper pastes together in a medium size bowl and stir well.

2- Then, combine garlic, olive oil, walnuts, and spices to the mixture and stir well. You can also add a little salt if it tastes sweet because of the organic pastes.

3- Also, add bread crumbs if your mixture is not thick enough. I do not add it to mine since my tomato and pepper pastes are thick.

4- Put your mixture in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before eating. It will be tastier like that.

Enjoy it!