Za'atar Spice
This homemade Za'atar seasoning recipe is a famous Middle Eastern spice blend made from toasted sesame seeds, dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, sesame seeds, and often sumac.It can be used in a multitude of ways. Use this as a rub for beef, fish, chicken, or lamb, or sprinkle it over baba ganoush or hummus.
Equipment
- whisk or spoon
- Meauserning spoons
- Mortal and pestle or coffeee grinder
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toast the sesame seeds: Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown and become fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Grind the sesame seeds: Once the sesame seeds have cooled, grind them using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Grind them until they have a coarse texture, but be careful not to over-grind them into a paste.
- Combine the ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the dried thyme, ground sumac, ground sesame seeds, salt, and any optional herbs or spices you prefer. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Taste and adjust: Give the zatar spice blend a taste and adjust the salt or any other ingredient according to your preference. You can make it more tangy with additional sumac or more herbal with additional thyme. Personalize it to suit your taste buds.
- Store and enjoy: Transfer the zatar spice blend to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place. It can be used immediately, but the flavors will continue to develop and intensify over time. Use it to enhance your favorite dishes, as mentioned in the blog, or get creative and experiment with new recipes.