I have tons of Za'taar... help!
Help! My boyfriend bought a JUMBO SIZE bag of Za'taar- because it was cheap ($3.79..no kidding!) I only needed a pinch for the recipe, and have given a way a bunch- but still not sure how I'm going to use up my mason jar of Za'taar. Any recipes/usage suggestions would be appreciated!! ( I swear we had a talk question like this a few weeks ago! I did look in the talk archives-but didn't find it- if you wanna link me there that'd be cool too!) We we're joking that we'd sound like that guy in Forrest Gump only with Zataar.."shrimp Zataar, Zataar bread, Zataar carrots, pizza with zataar...." LOL. Thanks!
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12 Comments:
Traditionally it's used on pita bread. Either make some from scratch, or take premade bread, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle with zataar and put it under the broiler for a minute. You can also simply dip the bread into olive oil then zataar.
I've never tried this, but you might want to try mixing it into unflavored yogurt to make a dip. (You'll probably need some salt, too.)
The idea of zataar pizza sounds great! Maybe with some olives and feta?
I think zataar would also be a great spice to season lamb chops.
chgoeditor at 5:01PM on 07/15/08
In Israel the primary usage I was exposed to was it's steeped in olive olis and the bread is dipped in the oil that it's plavored with as part of the mezzehs you'd get with a meal.. Somtimes it was lightly sprinkled on top of the strained yogurt (labneh).
A little goes a long way. I still have some I picked up in Jerusalem a few years back.
Stiv61 at 7:45PM on 07/15/08
I like it sprinkled over steamed greens - the sour sumac acts like lemon. I guess that you could try a sprinkle over anything that benefits from lemon or lime.
PeanutButter at 9:54PM on 07/15/08
I love zataar! I usually eat it sprinkled generously over goat cheese on crackers, tortillas, or pita - and it would probably be great with cream cheese on a bagel as well. And pita bread with zataar as chgoeditor described is terrific with hummus.
producestories at 9:17AM on 07/16/08
I have tons of ideas....
http://www.dailymunch.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?search=pita&IncludeBlogs=1
Make pita
http://franticfoodie.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-make-pita.html
Now to make pita with Zaatar,
mix a half a cup of olive oil with and half a cup of zaatar, brush on pita and bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees. keep checking to make sure it doesn't burn.
Or cut leftover pita in strips and brush with olive oil and zaatar.
bake in oven and get chips.
or like in Israel, on top of a tomato and cucumber salad, yogurt and zaatar
Hope this helps........
Frantic foodie at 12:10PM on 07/16/08
I'll bet it would make for really interesting roast chicken, served with a cucumber and yogurt sauce on the side.
thebasilqueen at 12:33PM on 07/16/08
yum!! Thanks everybody for your recommendations!
I did a google search with Zataar's 500 or so spellings and came with some others too.
sprinked over oven roasted baby carrots & potatoes, sliced baby tomatoes stuffed w/ goat cheese, and zataar roasted almonds- so excited now about my new bag of zataar!
bisbee at 1:19PM on 07/16/08
whoops. that was a bummer typo. LOL.
bisbee at 1:35PM on 07/16/08
Zataar is amazing in salad! Use it with sumac, olive oil, and lemon juice. Sooo good.
dove3579 at 2:52PM on 07/16/08
dip warm pita in olive oil and then za'taar, for a quick breakfast or snack or with a larger meal.
i like to spread labneh (thick yogurt cheese) over a pita, then drizzle with olive oil and za'taar.
i bet it would be good as a rub/crust for fish or chicken too.
maqloubeh at 2:54PM on 07/16/08
Oh, I love zataar! Here's a bread that's bursting with flavor. I tried it with focaccia dough for the base, but you could use anything bready.
http://noteatingoutinny.com/2008/03/10/zataar-bread-with-feta-and-parsley/
I also sprinkle zataar on fried eggs.
Channa at 2:56PM on 07/16/08
I use it on pizza instead of oregano, on salads with some olive oil as dressing, as a marinade for chicken, on eggs, on hummus... i like the focaccia idea. With some sliced tomatoes? Yum.
Stufsocker at 4:36PM on 07/17/08