Best 7 Zaatar Recipes

LEBANESE ZAATAR (ZA'ATAR) BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix water, yeast, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, olive oil, and corn oil; mix using your hands, adding more whole wheat flour if needed, until dough holds together. Mix za'atar into dough until evenly incorporated (see notes).
• Shape dough, about 1/4 cup per piece, into rounds on a floured work surface. Arrange rounds on baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

ZAATAR YOGURT DIP AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Mix together yogurt, zaatar, lemon zest and juice. If you like it thinner, add 2 tablespoons water.
• Chill at least 2 hours or overnight to develop the flavors. Serve with vegetables and hummus.

ZAATAR PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the zaatar and olive oil in a bowl and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and lay a baking tray in the oven to heat.
• Cut the Lebanese Pita Dough into 12 pieces. Roll out the dough to 1/4- inch thick. Pinch the edges around the dough to form higher edges. Take a fork and pierce the dough all over, releasing any air pockets. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons za'atar (make sure you mix before using) over each pita dough. Place 3 to 4 pitas on the hot baking tray in the oven and close the door immediately, making sure to not overcrowd the baking tray or oven. Bake until golden on the bottom and a little golden on the top, about 5 minutes. Serve with labneh, tomatoes and black olives rolled inside. The perfect Lebanese breakfast!
• Lebanese Pita:.
• Sift the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture. Pour in the lukewarm water. Mix by hand on a floured work surface until the dough comes together. Then knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until smooth and the dough bounces back when you push into it. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and place in a warm spot covered with a damp towel. Let rise until the dough doubles in size, depending on the temperature, it could take 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

STEAK SALAD WITH ZAATAR CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• For the dressing: Add the cilantro, mint, parsley, olive oil, sherry vinegar, zaatar, jalapeno, lime juice and shallot to the the jar of a blender. Puree, scraping the sides as needed, until smooth with just a few small chunks remaining. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 3 days in advance.
• For the steaks: Sprinkle the steaks all over with 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of pepper. Set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and cook, flipping halfway through, until a nice golden crust has formed on both sides and the temperature register 125 degrees F (for medium-rare) on an instant-read thermometer, 7 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Return the skillet to the heat and turn to medium. Add more butter to the skillet if it is dry and add the zaatar. Toast until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the peas and saute until tender but still crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving any remaining butter in the skillet.
• Meanwhile, mix the arugula and spinach together and place on a platter. Sprinkle with the avocado, radishes, peas and shallots. Slice each steak into thick slices and place atop the salad. Drizzle with the chimichurri dressing and serve immediately with the remaining chimichurri on the side.

ZA'ATAR ZAATAR SPICE BLEND

Steps:

• 1. Crush the sesame seeds in a mortar, with a pestle.
• 2. Add the other ingredients and crush with the pestle.

ZAATAR DUQQA

Steps:

• In medium bowl, combine chickpeas and enough hot water to cover. Soak 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
• In heavy, dry skillet over moderate heat, combine cumin, coriander, and 1/2 cup sesame seeds. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and a shade or two darker, 3 to 4 minutes.
• In large bowl, combine toasted spices, chickpeas, thyme, and salt. In spice grinder or clean coffee grinder, finely grind mixture (in batches if necessary). Return to bowl and set aside.
• In a heavy, dry skillet over moderate heat, combine remaining 1/2 cup sesame seeds and nigella. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and a shade or two darker, 3 to 4 minutes. Add to other spices in bowl and toss to combine.
• To serve, dust over cooked eggs (hard-boiled or soft-boiled, scrambled or fried), mix into soft cheese or yogurt, or drizzle olive oil on pita bread and sprinkle with mixture.
• Stored in the refrigerator in clean, tightly sealed jar, mixture will keep up to 6 months.

CHEESE PUFFS WITH HALLOUMI AND ZAATAR (LEBANESE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
• Mix the zaatar with the grated Halloumi cheese in a bowl. Set aside.
• Place the water, butter and salt in a saucepan and heat to boiling; when boiling, drop all the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to cook the flour, until the flour paste holds together and leaves the sides of the saucepan.
• Remove from the heat, and wait a couple of minutes; then plop the paste into a mixer or (my preference) a food processor. Get it going and start adding the eggs, one at a time, until mixed. Add the cheese and zaatar (previously mixed together).
• Plop the paste into a decorating bag or just use a small spoon and form little even-sized mounds on the parchment-paper lined cookie sheets; you should have around 50 mini-puffs. You can glaze them with a beaten egg yolk, to give them a more golden shine.
• Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes; reduce the oven heat to 375F and bake 15 minutes or so longer until they are all puffed up and feel dry to the touch. Serve immediately, or cool, store in a tightly sealed plastic container and freeze.