„Cleanse yourself of the attributes of self so that you can see your pure, unblemished essence." - Rumi
Za'atar - a spice ubiquitous in Middle Eastern cuisine. Its aroma takes me to the Holy Land, which is already so only in name, and I don't know if it ever was looking at its history. No matter what, I like to be there and eat there.
Za'atar has a long history. Its Arabic name "za'atar" refers, although it is neither seen nor heard, to the plant called in the Torah, i.e. the Pentateuch of Moses, "eizow" or hyssop. Hyssop in many cultures and religions has been associated with ritual purity ceremonies. To this day, it is used by grandmothers and healers in magical treatments. Its branches are dipped in water and sprinkled on the doorposts of houses to provide protection against impure powers and to free oneself from negativity.
Although today most za'atar mixtures do not contain hyssop (they go for cheap), it still has its cleansing and antiseptic properties thanks to similarly acting herbs - thyme and oregano. Sumac must be added to za'atar, which gives it sourness. Sumac itself also has cleansing properties, just the other way around. It works well on the intestines. By the way, remember who was allergic to sumac? He hated little blue men and had a goofy cat….
We already have thyme, sumac, add roasted sesame and salt. As usual, there are many variations on za'ataru. If we add powdered garlic - we will get a sharper taste. You can also add a bit of grated lemon peel, which will turn up the aroma.
PORTION: 250 ml
YOU’LL NEED mortar or coffee grinder, 250 ml jar
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup of sesame
- 2 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- 1/2 cup thyme
- 1/4 cup sumac
- 2-3 tablespoons of salt
PREPARATION
- Grind thyme in a mortar and mortar until it turns into a powder. Add sumac, salt, take a moment to taste paradise.
- Grind thyme in a mortar and mortar until it turns into a powder. Add sumac, salt, take a moment to taste paradise.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly and pour into a jar.
Use in hummus, roasted vegetables, in soups as a topping on sandwiches and salads.
If you use cumin, coriander or fennel seeds, and you can use them, they should also be slightly powdered in a mortar and mortar.
