Hi Friends, it certainly been a while since last I posted, but here I am back at it again.  In this post I will share with you a spice that you may not have heard of but one that I am now enjoying since last we meet. Here goes.

Spice I’m enjoying – Zahtar! Zahtar is a spice blend originally from the Middle East. It is often used in Mediterranean dishes and commonly brushed with olive oil and added before flat breads and pitas. Many use it with hummus and tabouli.

The main spices used to make Zahtar are sesame seeds, sumac, sea salt, thyme, marjoram, oregano or some combinations of these. I been using it to season chicken and even seafood, and find it really adds a flavor boost to these dishes.

Another way to use Zahtar is to sprinkle some in a plate, heat a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cut up thin slices of your go to Italian Bread. Dip the bread in the Olive Oil and then in the Zahtar mix. Trust me, you will love it.

Can’t find Zahtar at your local market? I’m not surprised. Amazon carries a few brands, so click the link below and enjoy. My advice is to make sure the above-mentioned spices are included in some part as there a lot of spices that disguise themselves as Zahtar.

You can also be adventurous and make you own. I did, use this link to a recipe Homemade Middle Eastern Za’atar Spice Recipe + How to Use it (notenoughcinnamon.com)

A few days ago, I used Zahtar on chicken thighs and they were a big hit. The real time savor is that since you are using Zahtar you don’t need a lot of other ingredients to make this work.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs – I used boneless and skinless, but it truly doesn’t matter.
• Zahtar – If you are using skin on thighs be sure to season above and under the skin.
• Lemon – Lemon zest adds a bit of additional flavor to the chicken, and you can squeeze a slice or two over the finished product.
• Carrots – Add half inch slices or carrots to the pan, they are so good with this

Instructions:

• Marinate the chicken thighs with olive oil, Zahtar, lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss the carrots with the same mixture and spread out on your cooking sheet.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees, place thighs on top of the carrots and roast chicken and carrots until the thighs reach an internal temperature of 165
• Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Looking for Zahtar, click Here. As mentioned in the disclosure policy I may receive some compensation if you purchase using the links.