By:chef ssentongo Geoffrey

Cooking with Za’atar: Simple Recipes

If your mouth isn’t watering yet imagining soft, perfectly toasted, wood-fired flatbread coated with aromatic olive oil and Za’atar paste, maybe it will be from reading about these dishes that showcase the herb blend.

Check out these options for using Za’atar in your kitchen to take a visit to the fragrant markets and roadside stands of the Arab deserts.

Za’atar Roasted Chicken

Herby roasted chicken can be delicious any night of the week. Preparing chicken with a focus on Za’atar and other Middle Eastern flavors, like almonds, paprika, and lemon, can delight anyone at your table. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients

Marinade

• 2 lemons, juiced
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp ground sumac
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp paprika
• 7 large cloves garlic
• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• 1/2 large lemon, sliced

Chicken

• 4 skin-on chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 3 Tbsp Za’atar spice blend, divided
• 2 Tbsp slivered almonds
• 1 Tbsp toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl.
2. Place chicken in a baking dish and pour marinade over the chicken, working it under the skin.
3. Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
5. Sprinkle the chicken with more sumac and paprika and 1 tbsp Za’atar. Work some Za’atar under the chicken skin. Reserve 1 tbsp of Za’atar for later.
6. Bake chicken for 30-35 minutes, ensuring it reaches a safe internal temperature..
7. Sprinkle chicken with the remaining Za’atar, sumac, nuts, and chopped parsley and enjoy.
8. Serve with a side of rice pilaf and roasted eggplants and peppers.

Za’atar Flatbread (Lebanese Manakish)

For people who grew up in the Middle East, flatbread with Za’atar is a cherished comfort food. Fortunately, it’s easy to make and enjoy at home!

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (~110°F)
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 7 grams active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt or neutral cooking oil
• 1/2 cup Za’atar spice blend
• 1/2 cup Olive oil

Instructions

1. Whisk the yeast into the sugar and cup of warm water. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes until the yeast wakes up and develops a foamy “head”.
2. While you wait, combine the flour and salt in a large stainless bowl.
3. Add the yogurt (or optional oil) and the yeast mixture to the flour bowl and mix into a shaggy dough.
4. Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes elastic. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it loses its stickiness. If it’s too dry, add water by single tablespoons until it develops a soft, springy texture.
5. Form the dough into a ball, coat lightly with oil, and return it back to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise for one hour. The dough should double in size.
6. This finished dough is ready to make into Manakish.

To Make Manakish

1. Preheat oven to the highest temperature, usually around 500°F, and preheat an upside down sheet pan or pizza stone.
2. Divide the dough into roughly five equal pieces.
3. Roll dough out to approximately 1/4 inch (1-2 cm) thickness. Make depressions in the dough with your fingers.
4. Mix the Za’atar and olive oil in a small bowl. Spread onto the rolled-out bread dough.
5. Transfer the dough onto the pre-heated sheet pan or pizza stone and bake for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown on the edges.
6. Serve alone or as a side with a meal.

Bring World Flavors Like Za’atar into Your Kitchen

If you’re an aspiring culinarian, exploring the flavors of world kitchens can be one of the greatest joys in life. Even more exciting is when chefs blend the traditions, textures, and savory delights of several cultures in fusion cuisine.

If you’ve always dreamed of being a food-creative chef, why not explore how to use all the ingredients.

If you’re interested in exploring how to use the ingredients in your kitchen follow us on Facebook page Mr delicious recipe or use our link below

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