Best 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.

ONION, FETA, AND ZAATAR EGG NOODLE KUGEL

Steps:

• Cook the noodles according to the package directions, I wouldn't recommend more than 7-8 minutes total. Drain and set aside.
• If using a block of feta, run it through your food processor or blender a few times to get it nice and crumbled. If lacking such an appliance, mashing it up with a fork does the trick too. Drain any excess liquid.
• Mix everything in a large mixing bowl, then pour into an oiled 8 x 8 square pan.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes (55-60 minutes if doubling) or until golden browned on top.

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!
• 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.

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.

ZAATAR BREAD - MANAKISH/ MANAKEESH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in ½ cup of the warm water. Add the sugar and when it begins to froth, stir in the remaining water.
• Add 3 cups of flour slowly and stir it vigorously. Let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes till it froths.
• Stir in the salt and the 2 tbspns of the virgin olive oil and mix it well.
• Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour (you may need a little less or more flour)until you have a dough that makes a perfect ball. Keep kneading the dough continuously for a good 10-15 minutes till the dough becomes soft, very smooth and stops sticking to your fingers.
• Pour the remaining 1 tbspn of oil on this round soft dough to grease it evenly . Cover the doughball with clingfilm and leave for it to rise for 2-3 hours.
• Meanwhile you can take the zaatar topping ingredients (or a cup of zaatar mixture that can be easily found in any middle eastern store with the oil ) and mix it in a small bowl to make it an oily mixture.
• Once the dough has risen , you can roll the dough and divide into either small balls or 2-3 large balls ( we chose to make 2 big 12″ breads. If you wish to serve manakeesh as an appetizer for friends and family , you can make mini manakeesh breads served as small bites to eat.)
• Roll out the ball on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin to a thickness of about ¼ inch and roll it to as big/small as you wish. Take a fork and poke it all over the bread avoiding the dough to puff up while being baked .
• You can now preheat the oven to 250°C (450°F) for 15-20 minutes.
• Place a greaseproof paper on a round baking tray and gently pick the stretched round dough and place it on top of the greaseproof paper. Gently spread 1 spoon of the Zaatar mixture on the bread.
• Zaatar bread is ready to bake. Place it in the preheated oven and let it bake for 5-10 minutes or until you can see slight browning. Hot yumminess is ready to dive into. See it on my blog https://ayoodcooks.wordpress.com/

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.

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.

MANAKEESH ZAATAR

Steps:

• For the zaatar: Combine the sesame seeds, sumac, thyme and salt together in an airtight container.
• For assembly and serving: Preheat the broiler. After it has risen, divide the full dough recipe in half, reserving one half to make Spinach Fatayer (keep the extra dough covered until ready to use). Cut the remaining half into 6 equal portions and roll each into a small ball shape. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Flatten one ball with the rolling pin, then prick lightly all over with a fork to prevent puffing.
• Cook each dough round in the skillet over medium heat until toasted and browned in spots on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat (the dough will only be cooked on one side). Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
• Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup zaatar with 1/3 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Spread some of the mixture on the uncooked sides of the flatbreads, place on a baking sheet and broil until they are golden and crisp on top, about 2 minutes. Serve the manakeesh zaatar with sliced pickles, olives, tomatoes and mint.
• Mix the flour, yeast, olive oil and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Add the warm water, a little at a time, until the dough starts to come together into one mass and forms around the hook. Increase the speed to high and continue kneading for 4 minutes.
• Dust a work surface with flour and transfer the dough to it. Continue kneading by hand, then form the dough into a large ball, dust lightly with flour and place in a large bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

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.

MOROCCAN ZAATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound Chicken breasts, slightly thinner.
• In large dish, combine thyme, dried oregano, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, 2 cloves chopped garlic,
• zest of 1 lemon, medium onion chopped and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Turn pounded chicken in za'atar spice blend to coat.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat, add ¼ cup olive oil , brown a halved lemon in olive oil; remove and reserve.
• Add chicken and brown on both sides; add stock and partially cover pan.
• Cook chicken through 7-8 minutes then douse with juice from reserved lemon.
• Plate and Ready to serve.

MANA'EESH OR FATAYER BI ZAATAR

Steps:

• Follow the instructions for making the bread dough.
• Mix the topping ingredients into an oily paste.
• After you have punched the dough down, divide into 3 or 4 balls and roll out one ball at a time, wrapping the remaining ones in plastic wrap. Roll out on a floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2-inch rounds with a pastry cutter. Pick up the scraps, roll into balls, and flatten again to make more rounds. Now roll out each round as thinly as possible (the dough is very elastic and springs back), lifting it up, dusting the surface with flour, and turning the round over so that the dough does not stick. Then pull and stretch the dough with your hands until it is paper-thin and about 5-6 inches in diameter.
• Preheat the broiler. Lightly oil a skillet and place it over high heat. Taking one round of dough at a time, spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of zaatar paste over its surface with your hand. When the skillet is very hot, turn the heat down as low as possible; then gently pick up the dough and lower it in. Cook for 2 minutes over low heat in the skillet, then put under the broiler (about 3 inches from the heat) for about 1 minute, until the top is browned. Continue with the remaining rounds of dough and zaatar paste, rubbing the skillet with an oiled paper towel between rounds.
• Alternatively, if you want to bake the breads, place on lightly greased baking sheets, spread the paste over each round, and bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 5-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Place in plastic bags (with toppings facing each other) to keep them soft. They keep for several days and also freeze well.
• Serve hot or warm.
• For a hot chili bread, instead of zaatar use as a topping 1/2 cup olive oil mixed with 4 tablespoons dried chili flakes.
• For chickpea breads, fatayer bi hummus, a Lebanese Lenten specialty, press into the dough a handful of cooked chickpeas before baking. Omit the topping.

QUINOA, ROAST VEGETABLES, HALLOUMI CHEESE ZAATAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven at 190°C/375F/Gas Mark 5.
• Peel, wash, and chop all vegetables. Place all in an oven tray, sprinkle with some salt, freshly ground black pepper or some paprika or some nice and hot cayenne pepper if you'd like a kick. I always crave a bit of heat I'm sure you gathered that by now.
• Drizzle the olive or the coconut oil over the veggies and mix all nicely to give your veggies a nice oil and spices coating.
• Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes giving them another mix mid-way.
• While your vegetables are baking, place the quinoa in a saucepan with 350ml water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Once it starts boiling turn the heat all the way down and allow it to gently simmer (covered) for about 15 minutes. If the water has been absorbed that means quinoa is ready. Once ready, set aside.
• Also while your vegetables and baking, grill or fry your halloumi cheese.
• Take the seeds out from half of your pomagranate. The best way to do this is to bash out the Pomegranate seeds with a spoon and then remove the little white pith. Set aside and get it ready to be sprinkled on at the end.
• Mix the quinoa (make sure you drain any leftover water-if any) with the beautifully roasted veggies.
• Plate the salad, top up with the grilled halloumi cheese, sprinkle a good amount of pomegranate seeds and garnish with a few mint leaves.

JUMBO ZAATAR BABKA MUFFINS

Steps:

• For the dough: Whisk together the warm milk, yeast and 2 teaspoons of the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Allow to sit until it begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Start the mixer and add the salt and eggs. Mix until the eggs are incorporated.
• Add the flour and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in batches, allowing the flour to fully incorporate with the dough between additions. Continue to mix until well combined. Add the butter in small pieces, allowing each addition to fully incorporate before adding more. Leave the mixer running to continue kneading the dough for 10 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, then cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the filling: Knead the dough on a floured surface for a few minutes to form a nice ball, then roll it out with a rolling pin into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread the olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with the Cheddar, sesame seeds, chile flakes, pine nuts, oregano and zaatar. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough up a quarter of the way at a time, similar to how you make a cinnamon roll, resulting in an 18-inch log. Cut the log in half, then slice each half into 12 pieces. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray, then flour it. Twist one piece of dough into a figure 8 and place in the muffin tin. Twist another piece and place in the same cavity-each muffin should be made of 2 pieces. Press down on the dough firmly to be sure it fits snugly. You will have 12 total muffins. Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the egg wash: Beat together the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the muffins with the egg wash and sprinkle with zaatar and flaky salt. Bake until risen and golden, for 20 to 22 minutes. Allow muffins to cool at least 15 minutes, then use a sharp paring knife to run around the edges to release them from the pan.

ZAATAR STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Flour a work surface and a rolling pin. Set puff pastry on surface, sprinkle lightly with flour, and roll out into a rectangle about 8 in. by 12 in. and 1/8 in. thick. Arrange pastry so that it's horizontal and trim edges even.2. Brush pastry all over with olive oil. Sprinkle left half of pastry liberally with half of the zaatar and fold right (unsprinkled) pastry half over zaatar, like closing a book. Lightly sprinkle top of pastry with flour and roll back out into a rectangle almost as large as the one you began with. As before, brush pastry with olive oil, sprinkle half with remaining zaatar, and fold unsprinkled half over zaatar. Roll with the pin a few times to seal.3. With a sharp knife, cut pastry lengthwise into 1/3-in.-wide strips. Twist each strip loosely a couple of times and put on an ungreased baking sheet (push ends onto sheet to keep straw from untwisting; you may need 2 sheets). Dab tops of strips lightly with egg wash.4. Bake straws until medium golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 1 minute, then loosen gently from sheet with spatula. Serve warm or cool, with Garlicky Yogurt Dip.Note: Nutritional analysis is per straw.