Za’atar is an ancient blend of spices used throughout the Middle East. It is the King of spices for savory dishes, and it is available in many supermarkets. It is a mixture of ground wild thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, salt, marjoram and oregano. Like many old recipes, there are variations in the amounts and ingredients and disagreements on the “right” version. If you make your own, you can experiment with the combinations to find the perfect spice blend for your palate. Start with small batches using the recipe below and use it with olive oil on toast. Don’t be afraid to play around until it’s just right for you. Sprinkle it on Greek yogurt and spread on toast. Good stuff. Sprinkle it on bread, dips, dressings, meat, vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, soups, and more. It will add to any savory dish.
If you’ve never used the spice, sumac, I think you’ll find it a pleasant surprise. The red berries are not from the poisonous sumac bushes. Culinary Sumac is easily identifiable by it’s vibrant red bulbs (don’t touch any of the white bulb shrubs!). It is grown on high plateau regions of the Mediterranean. Sumac has a citrusy aroma and pleasing sweet and sour, tarty, and fruity flavors. Ground sumac can be sprinkled on hummus, used in meat rubs, in vegetable dishes, and on nuts. You’ll love it on eggplant dishes.
I love toast for breakfast, lunch, and almost any other time. For the last few years, I’ve made all sorts of avocado toast, cheese toast, hummus toast, and now I’m on to Roasted Beets and Feta Toast. Add Za’atar and it’s a culinary delight. If you roast the beets the night before and refrigerate, just let the beets come to room temperature to use. Beets are packed with anti-inflammatory properties and contain a hearty dose of antioxidants in addition to fiber. They contain a natural phytonutrient known as betalains that assists with detoxification as well. It’s important not to over cook your beets though, for prolonged heat exposure has shown to decrease their nutritive properties.
Homemade Za’atar
Use organic when available. Makes 1 cup.
Za’atar Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sumac
- 4 tbsp ground dried thyme
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
- 2 tbsp ground dried oregano
- 2 tbsp ground dried marjoram
- 2 tsp coarse salt
Instructions
- Grind sesame seeds with food processor or mortar & pestle
- Combine all ingredients and mix well
- Store in air-tight container
- Should stay fresh for 3 to 6 months
Roasted Beet & Feta Toast
Use organic when available. Serves 4
Roasted Beet & Feta Toast with Za’atar
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets cut in half
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 oz feta cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 medium clove garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 slices whole-grain bread
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Za'atar or to taste
- dash of Za'atar and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Scrub beets and trim any greens
- Coat beets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and wrap with alumium foil
- Place on baking sheetBake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until cooked through
- Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature
- Crush garlic and let sit 5 minutes
- Use a paper towel to slide off beet skins
- Cut beets into cubes (wear gloves to prevent staining)
- Place beets in bowl and add crushed garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, vinegar, orange juice, Za'atar, & salt and pepper to taste
- Mash lightly with fork
- Toast bread
- Top with mashed beets
- Sprinkle feta on beets
- Add a dash of Za'atar and sesame seeds for garnish
Enjoy!
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Hi Carol, I have melted Chedder on beetroot before, but your dish sounds much tastier and more glammed than my plain old version! I have never heard of Za’atar before and will be looking up sumac, it must be something we get here. May be under a different name.
xx
Thanks – hmm, melted cheddar sounds fab too!
Hi! Your dish looks very delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Looks so relish and healthy indeed, Carol. And I love the colors…beets are top-notch antioxidants sources!
Oh wow! The colour was the first thing that hit me! We love za’atar on pitta bread with olive oil. Yum!
You’ll love this. Got the recipe from an organic kosher bakery in Miami. The most fantastic whole grain breads with all kinds of savory toast you can buy.
So healthy, and tasty. I sneak beets into smoothies with strawberries. The boys don’t even notice. Nom Nom!
I know – isn’t it great to sneak good stuff in? I haven’t tried beets in Strawberry smoothies – how much beets to strawberries? Are the beets cooked? I’d like to try it.
This is different and intriguing. I had looked up this spice before while watching the Great British Baking Show and wondered about it. You just might get me to eat my beets with this one.
Try it on beets and if u dont like it – try it on other savory dishes.
I love beets! I had never heard of Za’atar until it was an ingredient on chopped. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
What a flavourful combination, Carol! I’ve had Za’tar a few times and really enjoyed it. Your Toast looks so colourful and appealing, a really great way to start your day!
Pinned this – I love sumac! And I love beets and feta! What a delicious recipe – Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up and don’t forget to head back and visit some other party goers!
Such a great snack idea! Beets are so healthy and so much more delicious than most give them credit for. I am a fan and love to snack, so this is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing this one, Carol!
Anything taste good on toast. That is an interesting spice combo. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Oooh, I love beetroots and I love feta cheese, so this looks absolutely scrumptious to me! 😛
#MMBC