Za'atar Spice Blend
The iconic Levantine herb-spice blend: dried thyme and oregano, sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and salt — stirred into olive oil, it becomes a dip; scattered over flatbread, it becomes a meal.
Ingredients
For 4 servings · tick what is ready
Use the scaled ingredient list. Steps and temperatures stay unchanged; use a larger pan or dish if needed. Seasonings to taste stay to taste.
How to make it
Rub the dried thyme, oregano, and marjoram between your palms over the mixing bowl, pressing firmly to break the leaves into coarse fragments and release their volatile oils. Alternatively, give them a brief pulse in a spice grinder. The herbs should retain some texture — do not reduce them to a fine powder.
Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast, shaking the pan continuously, for 2–3 minutes until the seeds are golden — they will darken quickly once they start to color. Remove immediately to a plate to stop cooking.
Combine the crushed herbs, ground sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and salt in the bowl. Toss with a spoon or shake in a sealed jar to distribute evenly. Taste — adjust sumac for tartness, salt for seasoning. Store in an airtight jar away from light. Use within 2 months for peak flavor.
About this recipe
By ForkRecipe Kitchen · Source: ForkRecipe / FoodML and contributors. Recipe content available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Serving count is an estimate; check quantities in the source recipe.