Grab & Go Spice Kits for Adults: Za’atar
Spice kits available for pick up this April
Do you love to cook? Do you like to try new flavors and recipes? Or maybe you are in a cooking rut and don’t know how to start expanding your cooking repertoire. Let us help you get spicy in the kitchen. Your kit includes a pre-measured packet of za’atar spice blend and a few recipes.
What is za’atar? Za’atar is the name for both a traditional Middle Eastern seasoning blend and a pungent green herb that gives the blend its intense, earthy character. The za’atar herb (origanum syriaca) can be found across the Levantine region under alternative names including wild thyme, bible hyssop, Syrian oregano or Lebanese oregano. The seasoning blend is simply known as za’atar. It can vary greatly but the mainstay in the blend are the za’atar herb, sumac powder, sesame seeds and sea salt. Za’atar has a long history with it being referenced in the bible and found in food eaten by ancient Egyptians. It was often used medicinally to treat ailments such as coughs. In certain parts of the Middle East, folk tradition suggests that za’atar has brain-boosting properties. Za’atar contains vitamins A, C, E, and K and has been shown to deliver a host of healthy antioxidants, antiseptic properties, and antifungal agents.
Easy ways to add za’atar to your diet. Za’atar is tangy, savory, and slightly crunchy. It can be used in the same way you might use any other seasoning blend. Sprinkle za’atar on chicken, beef, or seafood before cooking. Toss chopped vegetables or chickpeas with za’atar and olive oil before roasting. Make a salad dressing by combining za’atar with olive oil and lemon juice. Add za’atar to hummus or olive oil to make a dip. For a festive party dip, combine za’atar with labneh, fresh garlic, feta cheese, and olive oil. Blend it in a food processor and chill the dip before serving with pita and cut vegetables.
Recipes featuring za’atar.
- Manaqeesh (Za’atar Flatbreads)
- Fancy and Beautiful Tomato Salad
- Pita, Chickpea and Herb Salad with Tahini Yogurt
- Pea, Za’atar, and Feta Fritters
- Mushrooms and Chestnuts with Za’atar
- Za’atar Chicken and Lemon-Parsley Salad
Need more inspiration?
You can watch a six-part Great Courses class called The Everyday Gourmet: Essential Secrets of Spices in Cooking for free with your library card by using a Hoopla Great Courses BingePass or streaming on Kanopy.
