There’s a spice mix I’ve seen mentioned more and more in magazines and online. Za’atar. And while it might be new to a lot of people in the US, it’s not new at all. Za’atar is even mentioned in the Bible and refers both to the herb and the spice mix. And Za’atar is used in all kinds of cooking throughout the Middle East, the Mediterranean and other areas. And now, maybe it will be used in your kitchen and mine, with this homemade Za’atar spice.
Homemade Za’atar Spice
I’ve been meaning to post Naf Naf Lentil Soup for a while, but today I was inspired because it has to be the perfect after tax day soup – especially if you’re not getting a refund! Made in minutes with a handful of ingredients, it’s not only absolutely delish, it’s downright cheap to make. It’s modeled after the soup at the fast-casual restaurant, Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. I had to stop in a while back to try their Chicken Shawarma, but it was the Lentil Soup that blew me away!
Naf Naf Lentil Soup
Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish is the final condiment that I made to go with the fabulous Home Style Chicken Shawarma I made earlier in the week.
Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish
A lot of that recipe and the condiments to go with it, the Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce, the Zhoug and this recipe for the Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish were based on recipes from Chef Ottolenghi, the famed London Chef who’s known for kind if mixing things up and breaking a few rules to delicious effect.
I made my Zhoug, Zhug, Skhug – Spicy Herb Sauce for the first time last week, and made it again the next day! Because of all the condiments that I served with my Home Style Chicken Shawarma, this was my favorite. I don’t normally post multiple times in one day, but I don’t want you to have to wait days for the sauces that go with that Chicken Shawarma!
Zhoug, Zhug, Skhug – Spicy Herb Sauce
What is that sauce you get served with Pita sandwiches of all sorts, specifically with Chicken Shawarma? No, not the white one, we all know the cucumber yogurt sauce, Cacik or Tzatziki Sauce, right? The other one? It’s Tahini Sauce & for the Home Style Chicken Shawarma I made the other day, a Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce.
Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce