I’m a huge fan of Middle Eastern food, especially the seasonings and spices. Dukkah, which is actually more of a spice blend than a spice, is on constant rotation in my kitchen and I’m starting to use za’atar a lot often more too.
What is za’atar? It’s a blend of sesame seeds, dried sumac, salt, dried oregano, cumin and dried marjoram. The combination of these herbs is quite powerful, so a little za’atar goes a long way!
A really easy way to try za’atar is to sprinkle it on broccoli or kale- you can then roast or eat as is.
Last night, I made a roast chicken for dinner and roasted broccoli with avocado oil and za’atar was a lovely side dish.
Here’s how I made it:
- Heat oven to 180c.
- Chop 2 medium sized heads of broccoli into florets and place on a baking tray.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of avocado oil over the broccoli so they are lightly covered.
- Shake 2-3 teaspoons of za’atar blend over the broccoli.
- Give the tray a little shake to ensure that all florets have some oil and za’atar on them.
- Roast in the oven for 15-20 on the bottom shelf to avoid burning.
- Remove and enjoy!
Do you cook with za’atar? What’s your favourite recipe?