Breakfast & Brunch
Savory, spicy, and packed with walnuts. This Turkish Breakfast Spread (Acuka) takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Simply mix feta cheese, tomato paste, garlic, and herbs for a delicious dip that instantly upgrades your morning toast.
Ingredients :
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste (preferably high quality)
- 1/2 tbsp sweet red paprika powder
- 2 garlic cloves (peeled)
- 1 cup walnuts (shelled)
- 150 g Feta cheese (medium hard)
- 1 slice of stale bread (crusts removed)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (Extra Virgin recommended for flavor)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (kekik)
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Preparation :
- Remove the crusts from the slice of bread and crumble the inside into fine crumbs (or pulse briefly in a food processor).
- Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. (Do not turn them into powder; we want some crunch). Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- In the same bowl, crumble the Feta cheese finely using a fork.
- Grate the garlic cloves or crush them into a paste.
- Add the tomato paste, bread crumbs, garlic, olive oil, paprika, thyme, mint, and black pepper to the bowl with walnuts and cheese.
- Using a spoon or your hands, mix everything until well combined and the oil is fully absorbed. The consistency should be spreadable but textured.
- Transfer the spread into a glass jar or airtight container.
- Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve with toasted bread as a breakfast item or appetizer.
