Enjoy this Za'atar Seasoning Mix, with the earthiness of cumin, the bright tang of sumac, and the slight mint-iness of thyme!
Za'atar is one of our favorite spice mixes! It has so many uses:
- Hummus or any kind of dip
- A lemon/tahini sauce
- Olive tapenade, such as Olive/Walnut Tapenade
- Steamed veggies
- A portobello mushroom burger
- Oven roasted potatoes or cauliflower
- Oven roasted tofu
- Egg-ish Salad or any other kind of salad
- Soups, such as Eggplant Soup with Beans or Lentil Soup With Miso
- Toast with plant-based butter
Really high on our list is to fry Za'Atar Seasoning Mix is to heat olive oil, add the mix, and pour it over a plant-based feta, tomato, red onion, cucumber, and lettuce on a pita.
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Ingredients
- Cumin
- Sumac
- Thyme
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
The cumin gives the za'atar an earthiness and slight tinge of bitterness.
The sumac provides a lemon-like, brightness to the spice combination.
Thyme gives a faint mint flavor and has some of the same overtones of the za'atar herb used in the Middle East.
The sesame seeds give a nutty flavor.
Instructions
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Step 1: If you are going to roast the cumin seeds, place them in a dry pan over medium heat.
Step 2: Roast the cumin seeds until they are a couple of shades darker and the kitchen is filling with an amazing smell of roasted cumin. Be careful not to let them burn. Remove from heat. When cool, grind them with a spice grinder.
Step 3: Place the sesame seeds in a dry pan.
Step 4: Roast the sesame seeds until they are a couple of shades darker. Be careful not to burn them, this will make them bitter.
Step 5: Combine all ingredients together and mix
Enjoy!
Substitutions
Use the actual za'atar herb, if you can find it! I grow it and dry it, so have it on hand.
Variations
Use a mix of thyme, marjoram, and oregano to get a flavor closer to the za'atar herb.
Add Aleppo pepper, urfa biber, cayenne pepper, and/or black pepper to give the Za'atar Seasoning Mix a kick.
Equipment
- A skillet for roasting the sesame seeds and the cumin (if roasting).
- A spatula
- A spice grinder (if using whole cumin seeds)
- ¼ cup measure
- ½ teaspoon
Storage
Place in an airtight jar.
Will keep up to 3 months (though ours never lasts that long).
Top Tip
Do roast the cumin seeds! They get a richer, more satisfying flavor. Same with the sesame seeds!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are just some of my favorite dishes to serve with Za'atar Seasoning Mix:
Recipe
Za'atar Seasoning Mix
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
- 1 spatula
- 1 spice grinder if using whole cumin seeds
- 1 ¼ cup measure
- 1 teaspoon
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cumin whole seeds, or powder
- ¼ cup sumac powdered
- ¼ cup thyme dried
- ¼ cup sesame seeds white
- ½ tablespoon salt
Instructions
- If roasting whole cumin seeds, place in a skillet over medium heat. Dry roast until a few shades darker, about 5 minutes. Do not let them burn! Remove from heat and let them cool. Grind them in a space grinder.
- Place the sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Dry roast until a few shades darker, about 5 minutes. Do not let them burn!
- Place all ingredients together in a bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight jar.
- Enjoy!
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