Za'atar

Submitted by evelynathens

"From Aglaia Kremezi. The Lebanese believe that zaatar, a mixture of thyme, sumac and sesame seeds, gives strength and clears the mind. For this reason, before leaving home on exam days, all school children eat a slice of bread spread with a mixture of zaatar and olive oil. The traditional recipe for zaatar calls for thyme, but savory -- which has an aroma similar to a combination of oregano and thyme -- works much better."

 

• Ready In: 10mins
• Ingredients: 4
• Yields: 3/4 cup

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup excellent-quality mediterranean savory or 1/2 cup thyme
• 1⁄4 cup sumaq
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

directions

1. Grind the savory, sumac, salt and sesame seed in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder until you obtain a fine powder.
2. Keep in a sealed jar in a cool, dark and dry place.
3. To use: mix 1-2 tblsps of zaatar with 1-2 tblsps extra-virgin olive oil and spread on warm, toasted bread.
4. Top with freshly-ground black pepper.
5. You can also top pita breads with the zaatar and olive oil mixture and bake in the oven to make pita crisps.
6. Zaatar will begin to lose its flavour after 2 months.

Reviews

[UmmBinat]

Wonderful!! I also used the savory. So far tried in recipe#386178. I would make this again.

 

[lululaaaaa]

I love zaatar! growing up my mom would open a container of Pillsbury biscuit's spread on the EVOO and Za'atar and bake and yum yum yum! The smell was all over the house and it was delicious!

 

[Chef Kate]

Lord knows I can use some mind clearing! Whatever the metaphysical effects, this is worth making for the flavor. Terrific on pitas or warm bread. Thanks, Ev!

 

[Heather U.]

evelyn/athens, I prepared a half-batch of your zaatar mix so I'd have it to use in chia's vegetable tagine. This is such a lovely blend of spices...adds a lot of depth. I used savory rather than thyme, and was pleased as punch to have a great use for the really big bag of sumac I bought recently. I can see sprinkling your zaatar over all manner of dishes. It'd be great in scrambled eggs or as the main spice for a quiche coupled with zucchini, spinach, and swiss. Wow, I'm now ready to go make breakfast and it's only just past dinner time! :) Thanks for posting.

 

[sugarpea]

Never had this seasoning before and it's excellent. I had all the individual spices on hand and needed just 1/2 tsp of zaatar for Mizzy's Lentil Salad #89654. I made just a small amount using the ingredients proportionately and loved the remaining seasoning mixed with the olive oil and spread on toasted bread. What a treat.