{"id":2965,"date":"2013-01-30T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-30T09:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=2965"},"modified":"2013-01-30T09:22:00","modified_gmt":"2013-01-30T09:22:00","slug":"a-sprinkle-of-urfa-pepper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=2965","title":{"rendered":"A Sprinkle of Urfa Pepper…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CHE_0270<\/a><\/p>\n

Urfa Biber<\/a> or Urfa pepper is one of those spices I kept seeing in Turkish recipes. Then I noticed it on Formaggio Kitchen's website.<\/a> That made sense because owner Ihsan Gurdhal is from Istanbul and an expert in Turkish cuisine<\/a>. In her book, Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean<\/a>\"\", Chef Ana Sortum of Oleana<\/a> says he's the one who introduced her to it.  <\/p>\n

\"CHE_0277<\/a><\/p>\n

When I saw a  bag of it at Arax Market in Watertown<\/a>, I knew I had to give it a try. I gave part of my supply to a cooking friend so we could both play with it and compare notes. "They are simultaneously bitter like coffee or chocolate and sweet like molasses, and they lend a wonderful, deep, smoky aroma to sauces," Chef Sortum writes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It looks a bit like rich, oily coffee grounds with a rusty red tint. It is an afterburner chili giving you a mild introduction with a kick on the finish. It is wonderful with eggplant. A spinkle will add a lift to a tray of roasted root vegetables. And, I added a dash to some leftover pork for a second night supper. <\/p>\n

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In Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean<\/a>\"\", Chef Sortum features Urfa as one of her favorite chili peppers, along with Aleppo pepper and paprika. <\/p>\n

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Urfa Tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notice that my work board is protected with a piece of parchment and my Urfa is in a glass jar. This is a spice, like tumeric, that could be used as a dye. It will stain your counter, clothing, or hands. It even left stains on a small aluminum scoop I was using with it. And the natural scallop shell in the first photo now has an orangy interior. Use it with this caution in mind.<\/p>\n

If you try Urfa pepper, be sure to let us know how you like it and what recipes you explored.<\/p>\n

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