Middle Eastern Za'atar with Tabbouleh
Za'atar is a beloved Middle Eastern spice blend, often served in restaurants as a tabletop condiment or mixed with olive oil for dipping. While recipes vary, the essential ingredients—sesame seeds, sumac, and thyme (or a similar herb)—create a deliciously nutty, tangy, and savory flavor profile. Its versatility makes it irresistible: try it with roasted chicken, vegetables, on pizza, in hummus, or as a flavorful dip!
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breast* cut in half
Fresh Produce
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped or halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 bunch flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp mint leaves chopped (opt.)
- 3 spring onions thinly sliced
- 1 Persian cucumber diced (opt.)
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper finely diced (opt.)
- 2-3 limes or lemons for juice
Packaged Goods/Staples
- 1 oz fine bulgur couscous, or quinoa (cooked)
- olive oil
- salt & pepper
Za'atar Culinary Spice Kit Ingredients:
- White sesame seeds, sumac, coriander, thyme, cumin, black peppercorn, salt
Alternative Recipe: Za'atar Fritters
- 1 lb potatoes or carrots, grated
- 1 lb zucchini, grated
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup yogurt, plain
Instructions
Marinade
- In a CONTAINER, mix Za'atar spices, garlic, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp oil.
- Add chicken. Mix well. Cover.
- Let it marinate in the fridge overnight.
Tabbouleh
- Mix bulgur with tomatoes, parsley, onions, and 1 tbsp lime juice, and salt & pepper to taste.
- Optionally add mint, cucumber and/or bell pepper.
- Let it rest in the fridge for 2 to 24 hours.
Fry
- In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil and fry the chicken on both sides until tender inside and crisp on the outside.
- Let it rest 5 minutes.
Serve
- Cut chicken in small slices and serve it with tabbouleh.
- Enjoy!
Alternative Recipe: Za'atar Fritters - Option 1
- Mix all ingredients, except the yogurt, well and season with Za'atar & pepper to taste.
- In a PAN, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat.
- For each fritter, place 1/4 cup of the mixture into the PAN, and flatten it slightly.
- Fry the fritters until they turn golden brown on both sides.
- Serve the fritters with the yogurt.
Alternative Recipe: Za'atar Fritters - Option 2
- Season the mixture only with salt & pepper to taste.
- Season the yogurt with Za'atar spices to taste.
- Serve the fritters with the yogurt.
Alternative: Za'atar Meatballs
- Spice up your favorite meatball recipe by adding za'atar to the meat mixture.
Notes
- Substitute chicken with salmon or other fish filet.
- If using chicken breast, pound it for even thickness.