Lebanese Zaatar - Oriental blend

The origins of the zaatar

In Arabic, za'tar means thyme. That's good, there's thyme in the Lebanese za'tar that I'm offering you! As its name suggests, this spice blend comes to us from Lebanon, although it is found more generally throughout the Middle East. In this region of the world, the Lebanese zaatar is a blend of spices that cannot be ignored and that can be found in the most traditional dishes such as falafels (chickpea croquettes), hummus (this delicious chickpea purée) or sprinkled on katayef, this delicious levantine pastry. From starter to dessert, the Lebanese put zaatar everywhere. And you can see why once you've tasted it. Like all spice blends, zaatar can vary from one kitchen to another. Everyone can thus make a homemade Lebanese zaatar according to his or her taste. The one I propose is composed of white sesame, sumac, salt, thyme, celery and mustard. Some add oregano, others chilli pepper, it also works very well. As a reminder, sumac is a red burgundy spice that is both acidic and lemony, which adds flavour to grilled meat dishes in particular.

A matter of taste

This blend of spices and herbs is very fragrant. Thyme brings freshness while sumac develops notes of acidity counterbalanced by the sweetness of white sesame with a delicious nutty taste. The mustard adds a subtle spice to the blend to give it a very subtle power. This blend of spices is perfect for those who do not appreciate spicy blends.

The Lebanese zaatar in the kitchen

It is particularly recommended to give taste to vegetable dishes. In an aubergine caviar, it will bring that little oriental flavour that makes the difference. On barbecued Provencal-style tomatoes, forget the traditional French spices and go on a delicious taste trip to Lebanon. I also advise you to make beautiful oriental beef balls. Simply chop some garlic and onion and mix with your beef and Lebanese zaatar mixture. Form the dumplings and fry them in olive oil in a pan. And because it's always interesting to mix the flavors of the world, why not put zaatar on a pizza? On bruschettas with tomato, olive oil and parma ham, again, this spice mix will amaze you. This blend also suits white meat dishes (turkey, chicken) and, of course, lamb. If you are a pastry lover, discover oriental pastry recipes on which you will sprinkle a little Lebanese zaatar. This mixture of spices, if it reveals all its flavours in hot dishes, can also be eaten cold. Make a delicious cucumber and tomato salad with a zaatar vinaigrette. As an aperitif, serve goat cheese skewers sprinkled with this spice blend. Only your imagination will set the limits of the use of these Lebanese spices.

The preservation of this spice

I advise you to keep my airtight pouch of Lebanese zaatar in a place away from light, heat and humidity. You can choose to keep your spices in this sachet or place them in an opaque airtight jar.

The virtues of the Lebanese zaatar

Like any mixture of spices, the zaatar is good for your health. Beyond the gustatory pleasure you will feel, the zaatar will be a perfect ally for your blood circulation. Moreover, it is stimulating, both physically and mentally, and has antiseptic effects. This blend of spices is also known to promote digestion and therefore improve sleep.