From the Spice Cupboard: Za'atar Seasoning Blend

Za'atar blends together thyme, sesame seeds, and -here's the kicker - dried sumac! If you've never had it, sumac has a slightly astringent, lemony flavor. It can be pretty powerful on it's own, which is why we love it balanced with the other flavors in this mix.

This seasoning is used heavily throughout Middle Eastern cuisine, and it's not hard to find ways to use it! Za'atar can make a subtle background flavor for red meat or it can add a brighter note to fish and poultry.

It's also fantastic sprinkled on top of flatbread, over grilled vegetables, or used in dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, or tzatziki. We also add a few generous teaspoons if we make a Middle Eastern version of our weekday pasta salad.

You can find za'atar in Middle Eastern groceries, at many natural food stores, or online at places like Penzeys or The Spice House. You can also easily make your own blend at home using either fresh or dried ingredients. Here's a basic formula:

Za'atar Seasoning Blend

2 Tablespoons dried thyme
2 Tablespoons dried sumac
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted or un-toasted as you prefer

You can simply shake these ingredients together in a spice jar or grind them in a spice grinder for a finer powder. Some mixes will also add a tablespoon of marjoram or oregano to the mix. If you like the flavor of these herbs, feel free to add them!

As with all spices, keep this mix stored in a cool, dark place.

How do you use za'atar in your cooking?

(Image: The Spice House)

I love za'atar on popcorn.

posted by mhirsch on April 22nd 2009 at 1:07pm
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Pita plus olive oil plus zaatar (plus toaster oven) equals one great snack.

posted by Michelle of Montreal on April 22nd 2009 at 1:19pm
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Love this stuff. Awesome on hummus or white beans, great on homemade pita chips.

posted by maggie (p/c) on April 22nd 2009 at 1:28pm
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I've never had za'atar, but I do love the spice house! they make great blends. I've missed them desperately since I moved out of Chicago to Baltimore.

posted by rach1007 on April 22nd 2009 at 1:46pm
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Za'atar is great on lots of things. I like to use it on braised lemon chickpeas, hummus, labneh or garlic yogurt with some olive oil and salt. Another great use is in zucchini koftes or falafel (from scratch). Also using it as a spice rub on haloumi cheese before grilling it, or in a marinade or vinaigrette.

posted by indivara on April 22nd 2009 at 2:19pm
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I use it on grilled chicken, sometimes marinated in yogurt. It's delicious.

The middle eastern bakery in my hometown sells "zaatar pizza" which has zaatar and goat cheese and caramelized onions on flatbread.

posted by Spaniella on April 22nd 2009 at 2:21pm
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I love that flatbread with the zaatar. I've seen it labelled as "Kabul bread."

I've bought it in bulk at Middle Eastern markets.

posted by art on April 22nd 2009 at 2:32pm
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Oh, I love the Spice House! I could just stand in there all day, breathing in.

Za'atar is really great with mushrooms, especially on a pizza with olive oil and ricotta or goat cheese. Delicious!

http://www.abreadaday.com

posted by eprewitt on April 22nd 2009 at 2:38pm
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Get some olive oil and za'atar, and mix. The mixture should be thicker than a salad dressing, but not super duper thick. Get some yummy bread (pita or I also like seeded semolina) and dip. YUM! That's what my Lebanese friend does.

posted by cheriey on April 22nd 2009 at 3:05pm
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NB: Some people are allergic to sumac. I found out the hard way. If only it didn't taste so nice, I would be sad about missing out on it. Oh well.

posted by Elizabeth B on April 22nd 2009 at 3:36pm
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Er. That should be, "I wouldn't be sad." I hate it when my brain outpaces my fingers.

When I lived in Israel, vendors would sell baguettes in the bus stations. When you bought one, they would split them open and just pour a bunch of za'atar in to the middle. No butter, no oil. A little dry but sooo good. I buy it at the Persian market near my office.

posted by Faith (L.A.) on April 22nd 2009 at 4:20pm
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There is nothing like the bread in Israel- I went with my parents when I was 11 years old and still remember how addictive and satisfying it was. So fresh.

posted by miriamjudith on April 22nd 2009 at 4:36pm
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I am obsessed with za'atar, so much that I bought a huge bag back from a recent Middle East trip. Among other things (mmm, olive oil and pita), I love it stirred into cottage cheese. A lot of people make fun of me for this until they try it.

posted by monkeyhippy on April 22nd 2009 at 6:20pm
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the afghani place by my house sprinkles sumac on the side salad, over the ranch dressing. odd, but so good!

posted by akostalas on April 22nd 2009 at 6:20pm
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gotta have it on flat bread with olive oil - absolute perfection.

posted by kittystockings on April 22nd 2009 at 8:52pm
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There's a fantastic Lebanese restaurant in Portland called Nicholas' that makes a Za'atar pizza. Just a nice airy dough with, I think, olive oil mixed with za'atar on top. It's so perfectly delicious.

posted by nikihawthorne on April 25th 2009 at 1:34pm
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i live in the middle east and have fallen in love with it!
its tasty and very healthy too! try to find zaatar tea for colds and stomach upsets.or have a healthy lebanese breakfast :
labneh (if you cant find use yogurt), sliced cucumber and tomato, mint leaves, oilve oil, zaatar and pita bread.
spread labneh/yogurt on bread,drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some zaatar, add mint leaves and tomato/cucumber and roll it.
bon appetite!

posted by teems on April 27th 2009 at 5:18am
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