ZA'ATAR ( Middle Eastern Spice Mix )

Za'atar is a tangy spice mix used extensively in the Middle Eastern Cuisine. It is used to flavour the salads or meats, or used as a topping or dip added with olive oil. Sumac is a sour dark purplish powder that gives the tanginess to this mix. Za'atar can be bought ready made from the Middle Eastern Markets or speciality food stores . But if you want to prepare this at home it is very simple with just few ingredients like sesame seeds, dried thyme and mint leaves, and sumac. Probably sumac is one ingredient which is not easily available everywhere. At such times I just replace it with mango powder (amchoor) or anardana powder.

                                                            Sumac Powder

Ingredients:
Dried thyme leaves ... 2 tbsps
Dried mint leaves ...... 1 tbsp
Sumac powder ........ 1 tbsp
Sesame seeds ......... 1 tbsp
Salt ...................... 1/2 tsp
These are the ingredients traditionally used to make it. But to make it a little more flavourful I also add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder and 1/2 tsp ginger powder. You can try both ways and see which you prefer.


Method:

Lightly dry roast the sesame seeds and crush them in a pestle and mortar.

Add the rest of the ingredients and crush them with the pestle to blend the flavours.







Store it in the refrigerator.
You can make more quantity and freeze it also but I avoid doing that. It looses its flavour.
Fresh is a;ways the best.

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