Za’atar is a spice blend that is indispensable in the Middle East. If you've ever looked up a recipe from Arab cuisine, you have undoubtedly come across za’atar. And it's logical that this spice blend is so popular in the Middle East, because you can use it in a huge variety of dishes. Za’atar is both savory and pleasantly fresh, which is why you can use it in many dishes to give them that extra boost they need.
In this blog we would like to take you into the world of za’atar. There are so many directions you can go with it, and therefore we would like to show you a number of delicious options. All so you can dive back into the kitchen full of inspiration and motivation. By applying this powerful spice blend well you can put a wonderful dish on the table to truly surprise your friends and family.
First we'll tell you exactly what za’atar is and what it's made of. Then we'll take you through a number of dishes in which za’atar plays the leading role or is a delightful addition. Will you read along?
What is za’atar?
As we mentioned earlier, za’atar is a popular spice blend in the Middle East and an integral part of Arab cuisine. It is extremely versatile: in many Arab countries they eat it at breakfast on bread with some olive oil, at lunch in a salad, or they use it in a marinade for dinner. You can literally use it in countless ways.
What is in za’atar?
As a rule, za’atar consists of dried thyme, sesame seeds, ground sumac, oregano and salt. The dried thyme and ground sumac give za’atar a nice fresh flavor, the sesame seeds add a nutty note, and the oregano completes this spice blend by making it wonderfully aromatic. It is also common to add salt to further enhance the flavors.
In the za’atar you can find in our assortment we have added less salt than the za’atar you can buy elsewhere. That way we keep it healthy and you can add salt to taste yourself. In addition, we have added dried basil to our za’atar to slightly boost the herbaceousness of the mixture, so the flavors are beautifully balanced.
How can you use za’atar?
Because za’atar adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor to your dishes, you can use it in all kinds of recipes that could use some brightness and a savory boost. A yogurt dip with za’atar or a marinade based on olive oil and za’atar — you can hardly imagine a use for which za’atar wouldn’t work. Below we go into 5 different ways you can use za’atar.
1. Roasted vegetables seasoned with za’atar
A great way to use za’atar is for seasoning roasted vegetables. This application is very popular in the Middle East, and that's of course for good reason! You can use various vegetables that roast well in the oven: think of eggplant, zucchini and bell pepper.
Cut the vegetables into pieces of roughly equal size so they take the same time to cook. Mix the za’atar with a splash of olive oil and then coat the vegetables with the mixture. After that it's just a matter of roasting the vegetables in the oven until they are cooked, and you have a delicious side dish. The za’atar gives the vegetables a nice fresh kick, taking your vegetables to the next level. Definitely worth trying, and also very simple.
2. Marinating chicken with za’atar
Another way za’atar is often used is for marinating chicken. You can work the za’atar into a marinade by mixing it with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. When you have cut the chicken breast or chicken thigh into cubes, mix the chicken with the marinade and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. This gives the marinade time to penetrate the chicken, resulting in a lovely fresh, Arabic flavor. After that you can fry the chicken in a pan or grill it on the barbecue, and when the chicken is cooked it’s ready to serve. You will be surprised how fresh and flavorful the end result is!
3. Za’atar hummus
Za’atar is also often used as a finishing touch on hummus. For this we recommend making the hummus yourself, so you control exactly what goes into it and you get a wonderfully authentic taste.
To make hummus you need chickpeas, tahini (a kind of sesame paste), a few cloves of garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. You can then puree this with a blender for a nicely balanced hummus. If you want a smooth texture, you can add more olive oil and even some water. If you prefer a chunky hummus, be cautious with the olive oil. By generously sprinkling the hummus with za’atar, you finish the hummus perfectly. Not only in terms of flavor, but it also looks very appealing. Dip away!
4. Za’atar pasta
Maybe not so traditional but nevertheless a nice way to use za’atar is to incorporate it into a pasta. Very simple, and it gives the pasta a delightful fresh touch. Choose a pasta of your choice (spaghetti often works very well for this kind of dish with few ingredients). Then cook the pasta until about 1 minute before it's done (what they in Italy call al dente).
At the same time, quickly sauté one or two finely chopped cloves of garlic in a frying pan. Then add the al dente pasta to the garlic with a generous splash of the pasta cooking water, and mix everything well. The starches in the pasta water cause the sauce we're making to thicken and bind well with the spaghetti. Then add the za’atar and generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. In this way you can put a delicious, fresh and nutritious dish on the table within 10 minutes.
5. Yogurt dip with za’atar
The final way we’d like to highlight is using za’atar in a yogurt dip. This is simply mixing Greek or Turkish yogurt with a healthy splash of za’atar, olive oil, pepper and salt. You can optionally add some finely chopped garlic, but we advise caution with this. Since the garlic remains raw, it can quickly overpower the fresh flavor of the yogurt and za’atar.
Together with the za’atar hummus, this yogurt dip gives you a few great dips for a gathering. By, in addition to the hummus and yogurt dip, serving a small bowl of olive oil with za’atar, you create a true za’atar dipping station. Add some Lebanese flatbreads to tear pieces of bread and the gathering is perfect. Enjoy together — in an Arabic way!
The possibilities with za’atar are endless
As you have read, there are countless ways to use za’atar. Some are of course more traditional than others, but regardless, za’atar truly adds something to every dish. The freshness of the dried thyme and ground sumac, the nutty tones of the sesame seeds, and the herbaceous notes of oregano, marjoram and basil give all the dishes we mentioned above that extra boost they need.
Which of the dishes will you try? Or maybe we've inspired you to use it in a completely different dish. Whatever it becomes, za’atar will give everything you make a lovely fresh and herbaceous boost, and we are sure this will become one of your favorite spice blends. Enjoy your meal!
FAQ’s Za’atar:
- How do you best store za’atar?
Store za’atar in a well-sealed jar in a dry, dark place, for example in a kitchen cabinet. This preserves the aromas and flavor the longest. Avoid moisture and direct sunlight. - What exactly is za’atar?
Za’atar is a traditional spice blend from the Middle East. It usually consists of thyme (or wild oregano), sesame seeds, sumac and salt. The flavor is aromatic, slightly nutty and tangy-fresh because of the sumac. - What does za’atar taste like?
Za’atar has a savory, herbaceous taste with a subtle citrus note. The sesame seeds provide a lightly roasted, nutty flavor, while sumac gives a fresh, slightly tart balance. - How do you use za’atar in the kitchen?
You can sprinkle za’atar over roasted vegetables, hummus, labneh or salads. It’s also delicious mixed with olive oil for dipping bread, or as a spice rub for chicken, lamb or fish. - Is za’atar spicy?
No, za’atar is not spicy. It is aromatic and fresh in flavor, but usually does not contain chili or hot spices. Some variants may vary slightly depending on the composition. - Is za’atar healthy?
Za’atar contains herbs and spices that naturally contain antioxidants, such as thyme and sumac. In addition, sesame seeds provide healthy fats and minerals. It is a flavorful way to use less salt in dishes.
