{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded","name":"Tomato","quantity":450,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"peeled and seeded","notes":"large, ripe","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 green peppers (Sivri or bell), finely minced","name":"Green Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely minced","notes":"Sivri or bell","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 red bell pepper, finely minced","name":"Red Bell Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely minced","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 medium red onion, very finely diced","name":"Red Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"red, medium","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 garlic cloves, crushed","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"crushed","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley, minced","name":"Chopped Parsley","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"minced","notes":"flat-leaf","group":"Herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tablespoon tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tablespoon red pepper paste (Biber Salçası)","name":"Red Pepper Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"Biber Salçası","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses","name":"Pomegranate Molasses","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tablespoon lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"freshly squeezed","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1 teaspoon red chili flakes (Pul Biber or Isot)","name":"Red chili flakes","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"Pul Biber or Isot preferred","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 teaspoon dried mint","name":"Mint","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Spices","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Finely chop the tomatoes, green peppers, red bell pepper, and red onion into very small dice. It is important to chop them as finely as possible without turning them into a paste.","group":"Preparation","title":"Finely chop the tomatoes, green peppers, red bell pepper, and red onion","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Finely mince the garlic and the flat-leaf parsley.","group":"Preparation","title":"Finely mince the garlic and the flat-leaf parsley","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a separate small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, red pepper paste, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice until a smooth dressing is formed.","group":"Dressing","title":"Whisk together the tomato paste, red pepper paste, olive oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dressing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place all the chopped vegetables and herbs in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and add the red chili flakes, dried mint, and salt.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place all the chopped vegetables and herbs","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Toss everything together until well combined. Let the ezme sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to marry.","group":"Assembly","title":"Toss everything together","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"Traditionally, this dish is chopped by hand with a large curved knife called a 'zırh' to achieve the perfect texture without turning it into a puree. Serve chilled with fresh pita or as a side for grilled meats.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["large chef's knife","mixing bowl","small whisk"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"serving","note":"Approximately 2 cups of dip"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Ezme can be prepared a few hours in advance. In fact, resting improves the flavor."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Drain excess liquid before serving if it sits for more than a day.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Acılı Ezme","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:33:11.796Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:33:11.796Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2a8e5a87b3","slug":"fresh-mediterranean-lemonade","title":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","description":"A refreshing and classic Mediterranean-style lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. Perfect for summer gatherings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2a8e5a87b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c31f43d-1226-4728-8afc-7859baa17251","imageAlt":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","mediterranean"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5}]}