It is hard to imagine a Middle Eastern dish without spices in it. From basic salads to complex rice casseroles, spices and seasonings are at the very heart of regional cuisine. However, you don’t need to prepare authentic Arabic meals to experience those wonderful flavours. The best part of local blends is that they go amazingly well with many ingredients we use every day. Hard to believe? Let’s look at three iconic Middle Eastern seasonings as an example: savory Za’atar, aromatic Baharat and earthy Dukkah.
Za’atar
Za’atar is one of the most traditional regional blends. While its exact origin remain a subject of debates, za’atar is commonly associated with Levantine cuisine. The term itself actually refers both to the spice mix itself and to a particular wild herb from the mint family. That herb is not easy to find, which is why the modern mix usually features one or more alternatives. In its simplest form, za’atar seasoning consists of dried thyme, salt, sesame seeds and sumac. Other versions can include dried oregano and/or marjoram.
Basic Recipe: 1.5 TBSP dried thyme + 1.5 TBSP white sesame seeds + 1/2 TBSP salt + 1/2 TBSP sumac
Most commonly you will find za’atar baked into flatbreads or mixed into dips or spreads. However, savory, earthy, tangy za’atar is extremely versatile. It is an easy, fun way to enliven your home meals from breakfasts to dinners. My favourite combos include:
Egg Dishes:
Sprinkle a tea spoon of za’atar over your morning eggs and avocado toast. In fact, creamy, nutty, sweet avocado and crunchy, savory and tart za’atar are a match made in heaven! A pinch of seasoning also blends very well into many local egg dishes, especially those featuring tomatoes – like shakshuka or Turkish menemen.
Fish & Seafood:
Subtly sweet and umami flavours of the sea and bold and bright za’atar make an intriguing, complex pairing. It is a play of contrasts and a reminder that opposites also attract in cooking! In my Pan Fried Prawns with Balsamic & Orange Glaze, I add a pinch of za’atar into both the glaze and the dressing. And Sea Bass with Lemon and Thyme will benefit further from getting a tangy, crunchy finishing just before being served.
Dips & Vegetables:
Dips are actually one of the most traditional ways to use za’atar. And I totally embraced it with my Crispy Chicken Wings, where I enhanced garlicky yoghurt with a generous spoonful of the blend. You can also go a step further and use za’atar for coating or marinade – it makes an awesome roasted chicken! I also like to add a pinch of seasoning to my salads, especially those with sweet vegetables like bell peppers or butternut squash.
The options are endless – don’t be afraid to experiment!
Baharat
Baharat, or Arabic 7 Spice Mix, is a warm and aromatic blend featuring a selection of ground spices. It owes its sweet, woody, slightly spicy notes to cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. Cumin imparts more of a savory, earthy flavour, and coriander contributes with floral freshness. Lastly, black peppercorns bring it an enlivening, sharp and pungent finish. Traditionally, whole spices are grinded to a fine powder – that gives the blend a fresher, stronger aroma.
Basic Recipe: 1 TBSP each whole cloves, allspice, cumin, coriander, black peppercorns + 1 nutmeg + 7cm cinnamon stick. Place cinnamon and nutmeg into spice grinder and pulse a few times to break, then add the other spices and blitz to a fine powder.
Red Meat:
Baharat is amazing with red meats; while lamb is a more obvious choice in the region, I find it goes equally well with beef and veal. Just a pinch of seasoning can totally transform your usual stew or sauce!
Fish:
Perhaps a less obvious choice, but equally amazing! Baharat pairs particularly well with salmon – and just look at this irresistible crust. I served it with roasted vegetables spiced with cumin, coriander and turmeric, but who says you can’t use the seven spice mix instead?
Rice:
Baharat is awesome in rice dishes. You can easily use it in place of garam masala in biryanis or spice up a side of rice for Arabic-style feasts.
Dukkah
Dukkah originates from Egypt, and refers to a seasoning that contains crushed nuts, seeds and spices. Most commonly, the ingredients include hazelnuts and/or almonds, sesame and fennel seeds, ground cumin and coriander, and salt.
Basic Recipe: 3 TBSP each hazelnuts and almonds + 1 tsp each white and black sesame seeds, fennel seeds, ground cumin and ground coriander + 1/2 tsp salt. Dry toast the nuts first for 4-5 minutes until smelling amazing, then let cool. Dry toast fennel and sesame seeds for 20-30 seconds over medium heat – be careful not to burn. Place the nuts into spice grinder and pulse a few times. The texture should be coarse. Mix with the rest of the ingredients. In a more elaborate version, they use whole cumin and coriander seeds which are first slightly roasted then blitzed to powder.
Dukkah has a warm, nutty, slightly pungent taste that can complement many dishes. Additionally, nuts and seeds add a satisfying crunchy finish. A very traditional way to enjoy the seasoning is to dip fresh bread into olive oil and then into dukkah. It can also be used as a rub for fish or chicken. However, I find it particularly good sprinkled over roasted vegetables. Especially less popular ones such as brussels sprouts or beets 😉 They get an instant makeover and become much more attractive both to the eye and the palate!
Simply roast or fry your veggies as usual and add a generous topping of dukkah. You can use different types of cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli, root vegetables such as carrots, turnips or radishes, even bell peppers or squash… lots of options!
This seasoning is also amazing with baked salmon. So if you want to make the most out of it, try baking a whole fish and serving it with vegetables topped with our aromatic, crunchy dukkah! It makes for a truly spectacular meal.
I hope you get inspired to incorporate more new flavours into your daily meals! Let me know if comments if you made something and loved it 😀
35 Responses
I view something truly interesting about your web blog so I saved to favorites.
Would love to forever get updated outstanding weblog! .
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this internet site, likewise I believe the layout holds great features.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
Great, I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
denver nuggets vs clippers covers complete game highlights, player statistics, scoring leaders, rebounds, assists, and key moments from the matchup. Explore the full recap to understand how individual performances influenced the final score. https://www.tigerscores.com/denver-nuggets-vs-clippers/
A formidable share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of evaluation on this. And he in truth purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If potential, as you become expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with more details? It’s highly useful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog submit!
hello!,I really like your writing very much! proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Having a look forward to peer you.
For ecommerce founders, affordable AI product photography can be a practical alternative to repeated studio sessions.
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a great web site.
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you However I’m experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss problem? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
This was such a helpful guide! I’ve always been intimidated by za’atar blends, but your suggestion to mix it into olive oil for a simple bread dip sounds like a perfect starting point for me. Do you find that store-bought blends work just as well as homemade ones for that particular use?
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this website is very user pleasant! .
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
As soon as I observed this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
You got a very fantastic website, Gladiolus I discovered it through yahoo.
HORSE GELATIN TRICK
Definitely, what a splendid website and revealing posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.Have an awsome day!
Dead pent subject material, Really enjoyed looking through.
Keep working ,great job!
Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
I’m no longer positive where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I must spend a while studying more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic info I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
Very interesting details you have noted, appreciate it for posting. “The judge is condemned when the criminal is absolved.” by Publilius Syrus.
I see something genuinely special in this internet site.
You can certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.” by Peter Ustinov.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Only wanna input on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the content is really excellent. “War is much too serious a matter to be entrusted to the military.” by Georges Clemenceau.
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website truly stands out :D.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.