Za'atar spice blend
Za'atar: Palestinian dried thyme, sumac and toasted sesame blend for bread and oil
In Palestinian homes za'atar is both a herb and the blend made from it, kept in a jar beside a bowl of olive oil so torn bread can be dipped in one and then the other at breakfast; children grow up on it, and it goes to school in sandwiches. The blend is mostly dried wild za'atar (or thyme and oregano), tangy with sumac, nutty with toasted sesame and seasoned with salt. Common mistake: grinding it to dust; it should be coarse and slightly flaky. Chef's tip: rub the dried leaves with a few drops of olive oil before mixing; it wakes their aroma and helps the sumac cling.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
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What you'll need
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Toast 1 ⅜ oz sesame seeds in a dry pan over a medium-low heat, shaking, until pale gold and popping. Tip onto a plate to cool.
4 minStep 2: Rub 1 ⅜ oz dried za'atar or thyme leaves and ⅓ oz dried oregano between your palms with ½ tsp olive oil, crumbling any stems out, or pulse 2–3 times in a spice grinder for a slightly finer mix.
Step 3: Stir in ⅞ oz sumac, 1 ½ tsp salt and the cooled sesame. Keep in an airtight jar away from light for up to 3 months. To eat, dip bread in olive oil, then in the za'atar.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 35 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does za'atar spice blend take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
- What can I use instead of dried oregano?
- Dried thyme or marjoram, same amount.
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