You may have seen earthy za’atar spice piled in towering piles at an Israeli shouk or tucked away in sachets at your local spice shop. But if you haven’t you might be wondering: What is za’atar? Just like food spices evolve over time in the kitchen. They may not be as popular as other viral food trends but spices often come and go. Za’atar for example has had its fair share of time in the spotlight. While it’s traditionally sprinkled on pita bread it’s been popping up on menus with increasing frequency and even making its way onto the innocuous-looking avocado toast.
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WHAT IS ZA'ATAR? / Everything you need to know about Za'atar / Za'atar spice mix زعتر /#foodlover
Za'atar is the name for a Middle Eastern spice mixture containing oregano sumac cumin sesame seeds black pepper and salt. However its namesake is a type of wild thyme that is sometimes added to versions of the mixture in certain regions. The spice mixture often changes depending on the part of the world where it is made. In Palestine for example caraway seeds are added. In Lebanon sumac berries are added giving it a distinctive dark red color.
Homemade za'atar is easy to make yourself. However you can also buy it pre-made and use it on anything that you think would benefit from an extra nutty spicy flavor. First of all there's no reason not to make your own. Simply mix sumac dried thyme and oregano sesame seeds sea salt and marjoram in a mortar and pestle or grind the spices in a blender.
Once you’ve made room for this new ingredient in your spice cabinet it opens the door to countless culinary possibilities. One of the most popular uses for this spice mix is as a seasoning for a variety of proteins from red meat to chicken to fish. Vegetarian or vegan? It works great to flavor sauteed or roasted vegetables for an easy side dish. You can also work this spice into dough for homemade naan pita bread or cookies; if you prefer a different dip for your bread use it in hummus labneh or yogurt-based condiments. If you find rice farro or other cooked grains a little bland without extra seasoning reach for a pinch of this flavorful blend. Feel free to experiment and discover your new favorite uses!
