za'atar
Herb-and-sesame blend
Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend built around dried thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, though recipes vary by region and family.
The same word names the wild thyme plant the blend traditionally features.
Za'atar seasons flatbreads, dips into olive oil, tops hummus, and rubs onto meats: She sprinkled za'atar over the labneh.
Spice shrub, sometimes irritating
- sesameOilseed for tahini
- oreganoMediterranean culinary herb
- marjoramAromatic culinary herb
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
salt · hyssop · cumin · coriander · dried herbs · ground spices · tangy · nutty
Substance improving food taste
- spice blendCombined culinary aromatics
- finishingBringing to completion
- garnishDecorative food topping
- crustHard outer layer
rub · marinade · sprinkle · olive oil · dip · topping · coating · dukkah
Of the eastern Mediterranean
- LebaneseFrom a small Mediterranean nation
- PalestinianFrom territories near Israel
- SyrianFrom a Levantine nation
- JordanianFrom a Levantine monarchy
Israeli · Egyptian · Turkish · Arabic · Middle Eastern · Mediterranean · mezze · souq
sumac
Spice shrub, sometimes irritating
savory · salt · hyssop · cumin · coriander · dried herbs · ground spices · tangy · nutty · earthy
seasoning
Substance improving food taste
- spice blendCombined culinary aromatics
- finishingBringing to completion
- garnishDecorative food topping
crust · rub · marinade · sprinkle · olive oil · dip · topping · coating · dukkah
Levantine
Of the eastern Mediterranean
- LebaneseFrom a small Mediterranean nation
- PalestinianFrom territories near Israel
- SyrianFrom a Levantine nation
Jordanian · Israeli · Egyptian · Turkish · Arabic · Middle Eastern · Mediterranean · mezze · souq · market
flatbread
Unleavened baked dough
eggs · grilled meat · bread · yogurt · chicken · lamb · feta · salad · pizza · focaccia
- MediterraneanMediterranean Sea, olive grove, olive tree, olive, Aegean Sea
- Middle Eastern foodhummus, falafel, pita, shawarma, tabbouleh
- seasoningseasoning, salting, peppering, spicing, sprinkling
- seasoning blendsspice mix, dry rub, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning
- seasoningssalt, pepper, basil, oregano, rosemary
- LevantSyria, Damascus, Aleppo, Beirut, Jordan