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Showing posts with label za'atar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label za'atar. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

MIDDLE EASTERN: Chicken za'atar and how to make the mideastern spice mix



INFORMATION BELOW PHOTOS









is an mideastern spice mix.  It is pronounced zat ahr' (with emphasis on second syllable).

Link to audio pronunciation of za'atar by natives: 

PRONUNCIATION LINK

VIDEO WITH ZA'ATAR RECIPE AND HOW TO MAKE LINK

One site says:  A popular Middle Eastern spice mixture that often includes: sumac, thyme, toasted sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano, and salt. There are many spelling variations for the spice mixture, including zaatar, za'tar, zatar, zatr, zattr, zahatar, zaktar, and satar. 

This first recipe link calls for SUMAC.  I have over 300 spices and I don't have sumac in my pantries.  If you have it try this one!!  (You can order it through Amazon)
THE KITCHN BRIEFLY EXPLAINS WHAT SUMAC IS!!

Another site using Sumac however this one has Sstep by step photos

NOTES FROM BLOG READERS:  

If I am out of sumac I sometimes mix ground black pepper with lemon zest and you get a similar flavor. it is peppery and lemony sometimes I add just a dash of paprika to the mix also.




i know the recipe already contains lemon, but unfortunately the best option is grated lemon zest. since sumac has a tart, somewhat lemony flavor, it's really the closest you'll get in terms of substitution.




I like flatbread (naan) brushed with EVOO and sprinkled with Za'atar
 and then baked on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven
 for 10 min approximately depending upon your oven. 


MORE MORE MORE


From a blogger:  Za'atar without Sumac

I wasn't in the mood for a trip to the hospital with a new food allergy, so I made za’atar without sumac. I have no idea if Danny would be allergic, but given his record with everything else, I decided to skip it.

This is really easy to do if you have a spice grinder. I have a two dollar, used electric coffee mill from the Goodwill. It works great. If you grind a lot of really stinky spices like fenugreek, you might consider having dedicated grinders for those. The used ones really are cheap enough to build a collection (I'm up to four).

You Will Need:

Equal parts of toasted sesame seeds, thyme, oregano, and marjoram. Coarse salt to taste. Grind together until fragrant (and oh, believe me, it will be). Store in a jar.

I used mine for dipping with pita and olive oil, but you can rub it on lamb, or chicken, and probably a million other things.

How to Make a Homemade Substitute for Za'atar


The Middle-Eastern spice blend called Za'atar is an important ingredient in the Tomato, Chickpea and Feta recipe found in Fine Cooking #112. 

There are many styles of za’atar (any of which will work in this recipe), but all share the common ingredients of sesame seeds, ground sumac, and dried za’atar (an herb with a savory-thyme-oregano flavor). You can buy za’atar blends in Middle-Eastern markets, but you can also make it at home. In the blend shown above, thyme and oregano or marjoram stand in for the za’atar herb, which is rarely available in the United States.

To make about 1/2 cup of za’atar, put 3 Tbs. dried thyme, 1 Tbs. lightly toasted sesame seeds, 1 Tbs. ground sumac, 1/2 tsp. dried oregano or marjoram, and 1/4 tsp. kosher salt in a spice grinder. Pulse a few times to mix and break up some of the seeds—there should still be many whole seeds visible. Store in a cool, dark place for up to six months.
If sumac is unavailable, substitute 2 Tbs. dried lemon peel.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

INTERNATIONAL: HERBS ANDD SPICES 5: MIDDLE EASTERN: ZA'ATAR



  1. Za'atar is generally prepared using ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some combination thereof, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt, though other spices such as sumac might also be added.


  2. How to make za'atar dip at home: LINK to Homemade Za'atar Recipe
  3. The majority of recipes use sumac which you can order some from Amazon, however, when I tried it I didn't have any even though I have over 250 spices and herbs so I substituted something else.
  4. Here is web link for suggested substitutes:
  5. ANOTHER COMMENT ON SUBSTITUTES
  6. LINK to Another Comment of Substitutes for Sumac


ZA'ATAR IS GREAT ON NAAN BREAD OR PITA.  Serve 

with a Greek Salad!!


HERE IS AN EASY LINK:  




MY RECIPE WITH THE LEMON PEEL SUBSTITUTE FOR 

SUMAC:  To make about 1/2 cup of za’atar, put 
  • 3 Tbs. dried thyme
  • 1 Tbs. lightly toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 Tbs. ground sumac (NOTE - SEE SUBSTITUTE BELOW)
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano (I used oregano) or marjoram
  • and 1/4 tsp. kosher salt in a spice grinder. 
  • Pulse a few times to mix and break up some of the seeds—there should still be many whole seeds visible. Store in a cool, dark place for up to six months.
If sumac is unavailable, substitute 2 Tbs. dried lemon peel.

Monday, October 13, 2014

SPICE: MIDDLE EAST: Za'atar Spice Recipes and Recipe Ideas

WIKI ON ZA'ATAR   (pronounced : ZAH-tahr)


  

  

  


Short description from http://www.spicesforless.com/new/zaatar-bulk.html   LINK FROM AMAZON. I like Amazon because it ships fast. 

Zahtar, or Za'atar, is a spice blend from the Middle East. The thyme adds warmth and depth, while the sesame seeds give the blend an earthiness. This blend can be found in recipes from Lebanon and Syria and from Turkey to Iran. Uniquely earthy, savory, and extremely aromatic, Zahtar is often responsible for much of the pervasive, iconic flavor typically associated Mediterranean foods.


After testing and reading recipes and information on Za'atar, I noticed that there are many variations on the recipe. WIKI says "Some varieties may add savory, cumin, coriander or fennel seed.  My preferred and the simplest recipe includes thyme, sumac, toasted caraway seeds, kosher salt and oregano."

Haven't tried it with the marjoram yet. (The basics of all the recipes are:  fresh or ground thyme, **ground sumac, fine or coarse sea salt and toasted sesame seeds.) If you read the link above WIKI explains the many variations of ZA'ATAR. 

** If you can't find powdered or ground sumac in a store near you, you can order it from Amazon.com. 

NOTE:  If you don't want to make it from scratch (to me that's the fun part) you can order it also from Amazon.com.

Za'atar recipe from 101cookbooks.com

Za'atar recipe Foodnetwork's Alton Brown


Za'tar recipe from Epicurious

Za'atar recipe from FreshBitesDaily 


Za'atar recipe from Foodnetwork's Tyler Florence 


Za'atar recipes from the Kitchn.com

Za'atar recipe ideas from Huffington Post

Za'atar recipe from BonAppetit with green tahini sauce