Zatar is an aromatic blend of herbs and sesame seeds that form the basis of a cooking tradition in the Middle East. Before you begin using zatar, it is important to understand what goes into making it.
Zatar is a mixture of dried thyme, oregano and marjoram, ground sumac, sesame seeds and salt. The sumac plays an important role in the flavor, as the native sourness of this berry from the cashew family adds an unmistakable tang to any dish to which it is added. The origin of sumac can be traced back to ancient Rome and Persia where it was widely cultivated for its sour taste and medicinal properties.
The preparation process is relatively simple; all you need to do is grind the ingredients together and store them in an airtight container until you are ready to use them. You can add zatar to your food prior to serving or while cooking; the flavor will remain fresh no matter how long you store it.*
Making zatar is an easy process. The hard part is knowing how much to make. The most common complaint we hear is that a recipe calls for a teaspoon of zatar and the jar they bought only has enough for three sandwiches.
I know! I feel the same way! I think one teaspoon of zatar should be enough for a whole jar of hummus, but in reality you need more like two teaspoons per four servings.
This recipe will yield about 1/4 cup of zatar which should be enough for five or six people if they’re having it on bread and not on veggies as well. But also if you don’t use it all at once, you can keep it in the refrigerator where it will keep fresh for up to 2 months.
We call this variety lemon-scented zatar but really it has such a light lemony flavor that you might not even be able to detect it. This is because the lemon juice is mostly there for the color. The real flavors are sumac, sesame seeds and cumin.
Zatar is a Middle Eastern spice mix made from dried herbs and spices. It’s frequently used in Lebanese and Palestinian cuisine, but can be found in recipes all over the Middle East.
Zatar has a very distinctive flavor, with a hint of citrus and a touch of sweetness. It is most often sprinkled on bread, but can be added to other foods as well.
Here is the recipe I use:
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons dried thyme or oregano (optional)
Mix everything together by hand or in a food processor until it is well combined. Store in an airtight container for up to two months. Makes about 1 cup. You can substitute other herbs for the parsley and cilantro, such as mint or basil, or add some ground sumac for another citrus flavor component.
Zatar is an herb that’s used in Middle Eastern cooking. It’s a mixture of dried herbs such as thyme and oregano, sesame seeds, salt, and sumac. If you’ve ever eaten in a middle eastern restaurant you’ve probably eaten zatar before (it’s also sometimes called “hyssop” or “za’atar”).
Zatar is easy to find at grocery stores these days; you can buy it in the spice aisle. You can also get it at Middle Eastern grocery stores. My favorite brand is “Manakish” which I find at my local grocery store, but there are lots of other brands out there as well. It’s a pretty common spice so chances are you’ve already tried it without even knowing.
If you’re just getting started with zatar, dry it out over low heat for about 10 minutes to remove moisture from the sesame seeds so that it’s easier to mix with other ingredients:
This part isn’t strictly necessary, but helps keep your zatar mixed with other things instead of separate. Now add some olive oil:
You can use more or less olive oil depending on your taste, but I like adding some olive oil because it helps keep the zatar mixed together with other ingredients instead
Zatar is one of the spices used in Middle Eastern cooking. It has a wonderful aroma, especially when combined with thyme, and a slightly bitter taste.
Zatar is usually made with herbs, rather than using seeds. The herbs used in zatar include oregano, thyme, hyssop, and marjoram. Zatar can also be made with sumac , which gives it its characteristic red color.
Tahini can be substituted for zatar if you can’t find it in your local grocery store or ethnic market.
Zatar, also known as zahatar, is a spice blend popular in the Middle East, especially Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. It’s a mixture of dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, and marjoram, with toasted sesame seeds. You can usually buy it ready-mixed at an Arabic grocery store.
Taste:Zatar has a distinctive taste that is often described as “resinous.” It’s not quite as dark as sumac and it doesn’t have the same slightly sour taste; instead it has a piney quality. You can add it to olive oil for a dip for pita bread or vegetables or use it like any other spice mix in your cooking.
Authenticity:Zatar is one of those things that Middle Easterners will argue about until they’re red in the face. It seems to have originated in Lebanon and spread throughout the region; every Middle Eastern cook has his own recipe (or her own, depending on where you are). Some (especially Palestinians) insist that it should contain thyme alone; others add more herbs or spices such as cumin or black pepper. And some people will tell you they use za’atar in everything they cook — which means that not only do they
Zatar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture that is great in savory dishes. It’s also called zaatar, zahtar, zahter, za’tar, or even siyadif (especially in Lebanon). It’s a combination of thyme (or oregano), toasted sesame seeds and sumac.