When you’re traveling through Israel, it’s hard to find a restaurant or home that doesn’t sprinkle za’atar on everything from pizza to salads to chicken. What is za’atar, you might be asking? It’s a blend of dried thyme, oregano, sumac and sesame seeds. It’s delicious and very versatile.
Here in the U.S., a love for za’atar is finally starting to catch on, with dozens and dozens of recipes cropping up and restaurants finding innovative new ways to use the quintessential Middle Eastern spice blend.
If you haven’t yet jumped on this bandwagon, here are 23 drool-worthy ways to start adding za’atar spiced dishes to your weekly menu.
Where to find the spice blend? You can buy it from Fairway supermarkets in the New York area or just good, trusty Amazon. But you can also try mixing your own!
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Snacks and appetizers
Za’atar tomato hummus from I Will Not Eat Oysters
Za’atar roasted chickpeas from The New York Times
Israeli-inspired corn with za’atar
Za’atar pomegranate cheeseball from Chez Us
Tomato bread salad with za’atar vinaigrette
Avocado, hearts of palm, edamame and za’atar salad
Israeli couscous with lemon za’atar roasted chickpeas and carrots from Food52
Carrot tahini soup with za’atar challah croutons
Dinner stuff
Roasted roma tomatoes with feta and za’atar from Things I Made Today
Za’atar, halloumi and olive sandwich from Journey Kitchen
Za’atar lemon grilled chicken from MyRecipes
Za’atar fried chicken with spicy thyme honey
Za’atar chicken with chickpeas and cauliflower
Honey roasted za’atar chicken with dried fruit
Smashed za’atar potatoes from Tales of an Overtime Cook
Roasted butternut squash and red onion with tahini and za’atar from Ottolenghi
Crispy lentils with za’atar and walnuts from Punctuated with Food
Baked stuff
Za’atar flatbread from The Kitchn
Whole wheat za’atar sables from Serious Eats
challah
Pronounced: KHAH-luh, Origin: Hebrew, ceremonial bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
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