Pinterest Hidden Image

As you get to know me, my recipes are far from bland for a reason… If you come over to our place and have a look at my spice selection, you’ll be impressed! I have so many of them and yet, every time I go to a specialty store, I still check them out in case there’s one I don’t have. Spices play an important part in my recipes. I can’t imagine not adding any when cooking or baking. Just a tiny bit of that, a pinch of this and suddenly the dish goes from “it’s okay” to “OMG”.
 
When I share my recipes, I want you to enjoy them just as much as David and I do. Having said that, there may be some spices that are not available in your area or simply because you won’t use them very often so why buy them. Herbes de Provence (very French), Pumpkin Pie Spice which is ridiculously expensive, Mixed Spices • Épices Mélangées that is used a lot in Québécois cuisine, Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (ya mon!), Homemade Old El Paso Taco Seasoning which is another pricey one for no reason, and many more are among the ones you might not find necessary to spend the money on. There’s another one from the Middle East that I’ve been using a lot before before Club Foody and it might not be easy to find or not have a lot of use for. Here’s my version of it… my Za’atar Spice Blend! This spice is incredibly flavorful! Used in Levantine cuisine, the ingredients marry very well together.
 
There are many different variations of this gorgeous spice. My first batch was when I brought some back home after dining out at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Montréal (yes I begged the owner to give me some… a few hours later, I walked away with a “baby” bag packed with deliciousness) and I loved it. After my little gem was gone (I stretched it out as much as I could), I finally found some at a specialty store outside of Detroit. I was shocked when I realized the taste wasn’t the same as my previous “little” stash. It’s only years later when I went to New York city and bought some that the lady explained to me that from one region to another, the flavor might vary and even from one household to the next. Basically what I understood is there‘s no “proper” way to make Za’atar.
 
Typically there’s toasted sesame seeds, thyme, sumac which gives a lemony flavor to it, oregano, cumin and salt. When I make my Za’atar Spice Blend, I like to add some lemon seasoning just to enhance the citrusy tang of this exotic blend. I find it binds all the other ingredients harmoniously.
 
Besides its gorgeous flavor, Za’atar has amazing health benefits like improving the immune system, increasing energy, fighting inflammation, boosting skin health, increasing circulation, improving mood, enhancing memory, and so on.
 
The beauty of making this Za’atar Spice Blend from scratch is it’s quick & easy to make plus you probably have all the spices sitting in your drawer or pantry. It’s a beautiful recipe that will definitely enhance your dishes. I like to use it on my Rotisserie Chicken or on my Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes… yum! It can also be used when making flatbread, in pasta or rice, over vegetables, etc. It’s a great versatile spice blend to add to your recipes…
Bon Appétit!
 
Here are the ingredient amounts for my Za’atar Spice Blend
– 2 tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
– 1 ½ tbsp. dried thyme leaves
– 1 tbsp. ground sumac
– 1 tbsp. dried oregano leaves
– 1 tsp. ground cumin
– ½ tsp. ground Himalayan sea salt
– ¼ tsp. lemon seasoning (optional)
 
Directions:
In a small skillet over medium heat, add the sesame seeds and sauté until nicely brown, about 5 minutes, tossing often. Remove from the heat and let them cool off for 10 minutes.
 
Add toasted sesame seeds to a spice grinder and process until fine, about 5 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl and add thyme, sumac, oregano, cumin, salt and lemon seasoning; stir until well blended.
 
Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months. Yields 6 tablespoons
 
Check out these other great kitchen tips and tricks…
– Prepping Lemongrass – How to
– Buttermilk from Scratch
– How to Poach & Shred Chicken the Easy Way
– Onion Soup Mix – Make your own
– Perfect Meringue
– How to make Chipotle Purée & Chipotle Mayo
and for more incredible kitchen tips and tricks, click on this link… Recipe Category • Tips & Tricks
 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube