My Za'atar

[Logan]

This is a modification of the Lebonese Za'atar recipe from Silk Road. I toast un-hulled (brown) sesame seeds as I think it is better flavor wise, I omit the salt and I grind it into a powder as I am not partial to whole sesame.

• 6 tablespoon dried thyme
• 6 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted
• 4 tablespoon ground sumac

Lebanese Za'atar

Lebanese Za'atar is a fantastic, tangy spice blend of ground sumac, thyme, sesame seeds and salt. Make this recipe to season your favorite dishes!

silkroadrecipes.com

 

[MarcelNL]

is that all there is to Za'ater? wow, would never have thought that...all the ingredients are in house and of great qulaity, so why buy it.
Thanks for that 'Gedankenanstoss'

 

[Choppin]

I love zathar and had no idea it was made of these ingredients… need to try that recipe

 

[Logan]

is that all there is to Za'ater? wow, would never have thought that...all the ingredients are in house and of great qulaity, so why buy it.
Thanks for that 'Gedankenanstoss'

 

[Logan]

There are many different formulas and I'm sure there are better but this is very tasty and super easy. Sumac is pretty interesting stuff.

 

[MarcelNL]

Sumac is great stuff!
I knew it was a part of Zaátar but never knew the whole mix was this simple...just reinfirces that simple is usually good!

 

[Jovidah]

I love zathar and had no idea it was made of these ingredients… need to try that recipe

Because it's not. But in the west it usually gets butchered and made with alternate ingredients.

 

[sansho]

zaatar can refer to the herb ("thyme") and, more commonly, to the mix of zaatar, sesame seeds, sumac, and whatever else you like to put in it.

thing is, zaatar isn't thyme. it's a relative of thyme, but the taste isn't the same. you can make it with thyme if you have no other option, though. better than nothing. it ain't zaatar, though.

i know a thing or two about this as i have family from the region it comes from. one of my relatives has a pretty sweet garden over there including many wild-gathered specimens of zaatar, each with subtly different flavors.

if you're in the US, i can recommend a good supplier:

Zaatar Classic Blend - with Genuine Zaatar/Hyssop Herb (Origanum syriacum) - Gluten-Free

An authentic Zaatar seasoning blend with no fillings or substitutes. Made with genuine Za'atar herb (biblical Hyssop - Origanum syriacum) Small batch mixed and always fresh. Ingredients organically and sustainably grown in Lebanon. Free Shipping in U.S.

www.eatzaatar.com

i have no affiliation. but it is the best source i've personally found stateside. it rivals the better stuff i used to bring back myself from lebanon.

i'm open to trying other suppliers though, so if anyone has other recommendations, i'd like to hear it. i just stopped looking personally since i am satisfied with this stuff.

 

[Jovidah]

is that all there is to Za'ater? wow, would never have thought that...all the ingredients are in house and of great qulaity, so why buy it.
Thanks for that 'Gedankenanstoss'

No you don't have all the ingredients in the house.

thing is, zaatar isn't thyme. it's a relative of thyme, but the taste isn't the same. you can make it with thyme if you have no other option, though. better than nothing. it ain't zaatar, though.

Exactly. But in the west they usually make some kind of approximation mix with the herbs they already have in their supply chain.