There are a lot of spices associated with Middle Eastern cooking like harissa and sumac, but the spice blend used the most is za’atar. Za’atar is composed of salt, toasted sesame seeds, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and sometimes a dash of sumac. The blend tends to have a greenish hue to it and you will see it on a variety of baked goods and dishes at bakeries and restaurants.
There are a lot of dishes you can use za’atar in, but if you are new to the spice here are a few to get started with. Flatbread can be a bit bland on its own, but if you make some with a za’atar coating on top, you can get a good taste of the blend. Another good way to incorporate za’atar into your life is by sprinkling it on meat dishes, like roast chicken. One of the most delicious recipes is a simple salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta. The za’atar is sprinkled liberally all over the salad and gives it a very fresh taste.
This is definitely a spice blend you want to add to your pantry.
