Real African Dishes: [MC-AllEthnic-Recipes] Lebanese Savory Spice Mix - Zaatar; Lebanese Savory Spice Mix

Monday, February 28, 2011

[MC-AllEthnic-Recipes] Lebanese Savory Spice Mix - Zaatar; Lebanese Savory Spice Mix - Zaatar

* Exported from MasterCook *

Lebanese Savory Spice Mix - Zaatar

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Condiment LowCal (Less than 300 cals)
LowerCarbs Vegan

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup Mediterranean savory -- excellent-quality dried
1/4 cup sumac
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Grind the savory, sumac, salt, and sesame seed in a spice grinder or clean
coffee grinder until you obtain a fine powder. Keep in a sealed jar in a
cool, dark, and dry place. Zaatar will begin to lose its flavor after 2
months.

Makes about 3/4 cup (12 one-tablespoon servings)

AuthorNote: The Lebanese believe that zaatar, a mixture of thyme, sumac,
and sesame seeds give strength and clears the mind. For this reason,
before leaving home on exam days all school children eat a slice of bread
with a mixture of zaatar and olive oil.

The red sour-tart little fruits of sumac (Rhus corioria) are a favorite
Middle Eastern spice, especially in Lebanon. Sumac is part of the large
wild pistachio family, which includes shrubs with small, hard, and very
fragrant leaves that grow on the most dry and rocky Mediterranean shores.
One very close relation to sumac is called skinos and is particularly
common in Greece. Ancient Greeks used to flavor olive oil with branches of
skinos. Mastic, the beloved Greek and Middle Eastern flavoring for breads
and sweets, is the resin of another plant (Pistacia lentiscus) belonging
to this family.

The traditional recipe for zaatar calls for thyme, but I have found that
savory - which has an aroma similar to a combination of oregano and thyme
- works much better.

To use, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of zaatar with 1 to 2 tablespoons virgin
olive oil and spread on warm toasted bread. Top with freshly ground black
pepper and serve.

You can also top frozen or homemade pita breads with the zaatar and olive
oil mixture before baking them in the oven.

Cuisine:
"MidEastern"
Source:
"Mediterranean Pantry: creating and using condiments and seasonings by
Aglaia Kremezi, 1994"
S(Formatted by Chupa Babi):
"Feb 2011"
Yield:
"3/4 cup"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 40 Calories; 3g Fat (48.9% calories
from fat); 1g Protein; Lebanese Savory Spice Mix - Zaatar; 0mg Cholesterol;
101mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fat.

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 4860 0