What is Za'atar or Zaatar? Za'atar is a traditional Middle Eastern spice blend that often combines thyme, oregano (or marjoram), sumac and sesame seeds. If you are like me and love to flavour your meals and snacks with a variety of tasty healing herb combinations, then you may want to try this one! It's a very aromatic blend with the woodsy notes of oregano/thyme, hints of floral if marjoram used, tangy acidic sumac and rich, nutty sesame seeds. In this post, I want to share how to make zaatar (or za'atar!) in your own kitchen!!

Za’atar can be made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry already! By the list of ingredients, you will understand why it's known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and brain supportive nutrients.

Maybe you are familiar with the blend but have never made it at home. Maybe it's all new to you. In either case, I hope you'll try this easy recipe from fresh-dried herbs.

How to make Zaatar (Za'atar)

My BIL Michel, an amazing chef, originally from Lebanon, taught me how to make Za'atar (his version.. there are many!) As with many traditional blends, herbal combinations of Za'atar will vary from town to town and can even differ with each family.

50% Oregano
30% Thyme
20% Sumac

Make a mixture of the above herbs and place into a bowl.
Toast some sesame seeds lightly.
Crumble a couple of bread sticks into fine crumbs.
Add both the sesame seeds and the crumbled bread sticks into the bowl with the herbs
Mix well.
Store in a glass jar with a good lid.
Label and date.

Michel ~ amazing baker.. always adds some zaatar to his fresh-baked pitas. So good!

Find these ingredients at your local grocery or check with your local herbalist or farmers' market. Here's a great online source for tangy Sumac.

Za’atar is versatile and complements many savory meals—you’ll find some suggestions below. As I mentioned, this is a blend made differently from family to family, town to town + region to region! I've tried to share the basics here.. and .. as with many blends.. this is a guide!

Make Za’atar with these Ingredients ~

Oregano
Thyme
Marjoram
Sumac
Sesame Seeds

How to use Za'atar:

Mix za'atar with olive oil and spoon it over pita bread (or pita or pizza dough) before baking.
Ideally, use your own pita dough or pizza dough ~ I am an in-experienced baker so I purchase 'raw' pizza
dough from a local Italian bakery or happily receive some freshly baked pita from my BIL. * see picture above!
Note: this is called man'oushe.

Mix za'atar with olive oil and use as a marinade
Mix za'atar with olive oil and slather on veggies
Use the za'atar as a rub in beef, chicken or pork dishes. (I've never tried it sprinkled on baked fish but that's on my list to try)
Or, serve bowls of za’atar mixed with olive oil and crusty bread, for dipping.
Mix it with olive oil and drizzle it over labneh, thick yogurt (plain Greek or Siggi’s), hummus or baba ganoush. Serve it with pita wedges or raw veggies.
Roll extra-thick rounds of labneh or a log of goat cheese in the dry spice mixture. Serve it as an appetizer with pita wedges, crackers or crisp, raw vegetables.
Use the olive oil mixture as a marinade, or the plain spice blend as a dry rub. Za’atar would be great on grilled vegetables and kebabs.
Sprinkle over roasted veggies for additional flavour!

This version is from a local Middle Eastern grocery store in Toronto. Buy online here if you don't have time or inclination to make your own!

Add it to almonds for a delish nutty bite with a twist.

If you already have a prepared za'atar spice blend on hand, great! Otherwise.. check out the link above or make some just for your kitchen!

Almonds are a great source of protein, healthy fats and fiber, making them the ideal on-the-go snack. They can be a part of a healthy diet and a part of your 'anti-anxiety' meal plan!

Make Zaatar Spiced Nuts with Herbs

Zaatar Spiced Nuts

Delicious + Easy to make

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sumac
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ tablespoon dried thyme
½ tablespoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups raw almonds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Make the za'atar:
In a small bowl, combine the sumac, sesame seeds, thyme, oregano and salt.
(Alternately, substitute 3 tablespoons prepared za'atar blend and omit this step.)
Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine almonds with olive oil, rosemary and za'atar blend and toss until well coated.
Spread the almonds evenly on a baking sheet.
Roast in oven for 10 minutes..
Remove the baking sheet from oven and give the almonds a quick stir.
Return sheet to oven and roast until almonds are golden, about 10 minutes
Let the almonds cool and they are ready to serve!

Recipe Notes

We can make this treat a day ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Makes 8 servings

This yummy snack recipe has been adapted from CNN recipe by https://olivetreenutrition.com

Make Zaatar and boost immune system health!

The immune-boosting abilities of za’atar come from the thyme and oregano. They can help to support the respiratory system. I often combine thyme and oregano in concoctions to combat the common cold. The polyphenols in thyme or oregano also may have direct mood-boosting effects by impacting the hormones being released and regulated throughout the body. That is why many holistic doctors prescribe thyme for depression.

The oil-rich sesame seeds in za’atar have many health benefits as well, and have been used in holistic medicine for centuries. These seeds may protect against heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. They are high vitamin E, which can help to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, as well as plentiful in magnesium, which lowers blood pressure. Sesame seeds, both unhulled and hulled, also are rich in several nutrients that boost bone health, including calcium, manganese and zinc.

Make Za'atar + receive these healing properties

The immune-boosting abilities of za’atar come, in part, from from the thyme. Thyme can help clear the respiratory system, which is why some herbalists create a tincture of thyme tea to combat the common cold. The polyphenols in thyme or oregano also may have direct mood-boosting effects by impacting the hormones being released and regulated throughout the body. That is why many Arab holistic doctors prescribe thyme for depression. For more info about the marvels of THYME , check out this article about Thyme as healing medicine!

The oil-rich sesame seeds in za’atar have many health benefits as well, and have been used in holistic medicine for thousands of years. These seeds may protect against heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. They are high in magnesium, which lowers blood pressure, as well as vitamin E, which prevents plaque buildup in the arteries. Sesame seeds, both unhulled and hulled, also are rich in several nutrients that boost bone health, including calcium, manganese and zinc.

The herbs also have anti-inflammatory properties when used as a topical remedy for the skin. Za’atar can help speed wound healing, improve the appearance of the skin, and even reduce the appearance of age spots and blemishes, thanks to the high quantity of antioxidants. We can make a salve out of za’atar, forming it into a paste to spread on inflamed areas of the skin to relieve insect bites and aching joints.

Za’atar is easy to incorporate in your daily diet. Whether dipped into olive oil with bread, baked into a flatbread or sprinkled on salads, eggs or cheese, za’atar adds a toasty, tangy and nutty flavor to any dish. I have begun to sprinkle za'atar onto roasted veggies. I recently tried it atop cauliflower + we have a 'crowd-pleaser' !! I promise to link the Cauliflower dish recipe as soon as I've written it down!

Here's to our great health + also to adding herbs and herbal blends to our meals ~
and .. until next time .. be well.. Carol xo