Za'atar

Mirj's Note:

A very Middle Eastern spice mix, I use it in almost everything that has even a hint of the Mediterranean. Sprinkle this over a plate of hummous, dip some pita in olive oil and za'atar, have some lemonade with mint and you're in paradise.

• Total Time: 11 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 6 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 half cup

• ½ cup dried thyme
• ¼ cup sumaq
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup dehydrated onion
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the sesame seeds on a small sheet pan or pie plate and toast for 6 minutes.
3. Combine thyme, sumac, salt, dehydrated onions and sesame seeds and grind into a fine powder in a spice mill.
4. (This may require 2 batches.) Store in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 months.

Reviews

[Angela Sara]

Please, please try this! It's delicious. I make it without the onions and put it in a small dish on its own next to another small dish with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A Pile of fresh bread,(pitta bread, french bread anything you like)and dip a torn off piece of bread into the oil and then into the za'atar and eat! Swish it down with a cup of tea. Superb snack!

[Mysterygirl]

Tried this last night, I cooked rice, added olive oil and some of this and tumeric, it was good. DD says it tasted like the rice at Cafe Cedar, I favorite Middle Eastern restaurant.

[ElizabethAuthorAKAHajar]

This makes a wonderful authentic seasoning for Middle East cooking. Zaatar means simply thyme in Morocco as we have no spice blends. So, we use the same word for a very different meaning. I love to use this when making Lebanese dishes. Thank you Mirj!