Za’atar Seasoning has arrived!
This Middle Eastern seasoning is just…. yum!
Za’atar is commonly used in Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli, Syrian & Lebanese cuisine. And boy oh boy do they know how to cook with it!!!
My research led me to the historical significance for Palestinians. Once upon a time Za’atar was mainly used in Arab bakeries and it is a staple in Arab cuisine from medieval times to today. it is also a very common spice blend in Israeli households.
It’s a Middle Eastern table spice & cooking spice meaning that traditionally it is used as a seasoning (table spice) and as a cooking spice (cook with it). How’s that for versatility? I love the fact that Za’atar can be used prior to cooking, during cooking and after cooking.
My love affair with Za’atar started when Melbourne was in one of our many lockdowns. Whilst the husband was working from home and my young man was online schooling from home I decided to go play in the kitchen as I was annoying the hell out of them.
I decided to make a batch and ended up making a paste with it by adding olive oil and then smearing it all over my homemade pizza dough/base. I recall, all of us hovering around the kitchen bench and devouring the pizza. The Za’atar took the pizza to another level.
Za’atar is an “adaptable” seasoning as there are so many ways to use it. It can be sprinkled on literally anything. Za’atar is a great dry rub for grilled or roasted meats. It adds depth to vegetables like cauliflower (the only way I will EVER eat cauliflower) potatoes and eggplants. Mix it with olive oil and dip with fresh crusty bread especially sourdough. Use it in Labneh (oh my god just delicious). Use it as a marinade. We love it in yoghurt, hummus, and other dips. My all-time favourite thing is to soften some cream cheese until it’s a bit malleable and form the cream cheese into a log then rolling it in Za’atar and placing it on a charcuterie board with some pita chips.
It really is a versatile seasoning that you can literally sprinkle on anything, and it takes your food of choice to another dimension. Sprinkle it in salads, pastas, rice, grains, meats vegetables and on hard tofu.
Our Za’atar Seasoning has such a “herby” exotic flavour, and the sesame seeds just give that nutty flavour and crunchy texture.
Za’atar has some health benefits its ability to improve the immune system, boosts skin health, helps build strong bones, increases circulation, clears the respiratory tract, soothes inflammation, boots energy, improves mood, aids memory.
As you can probably tell…. We love it and we hope you will too!
bil-hanā’ wa ash-shifā’/ بالهناء والشفاء / بالهنا والشفا/ may you have your meal with gladness and health/Bon Appetit
