Za'atar - Syrian : World Spice Merchants

Za'atar is a time honored spice blend, and regional variations are beloved throughout the Middle East. This Syrian version carries on the classic flavor combination of toasted sesame and sumac, but also boasts a base of toasted cumin and coriander with just a hint of anise. An excellent all-purpose condiment blend, Syrian Za'atar is particularly tasty sprinkled liberally on lamb, both before and after grilling.

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Hollis Ramsey

5 months ago

HOMINY WITH CHORIZO AND SYRIAN ZA'ATAR A LA HOLLIS:

1/ add 1 heaping T. of lard to a skillet on Medium-High heat. if using a fatty meat like chorizo (my choice, but you do you), bacon, pork belly, guanciale, e.g., dice it and add it to the pan instead of the lard, and use the fat thus rendered throughout the recipe. the protein can be removed at this time, and placed on a paper-towel-lined surface to drain. if using tofu, add 1-2 T. of a light, neutral oil, like grapeseed, instead of the rendered fat.

2/ add one chopped onion (purple or yellow) and 2 chopped fresh unseeded jalapenos, give them a few good stirs; they need to soften up a bit but keep some crunch.

3/ add 1/2-pt. halved cherry or grape tomatoes; stir them in vigorously to coat with the fat.

4/ open a 15-oz. can of yellow hominy, drain the liquid and add it to the skillet; stir.to get some room for the hominy -- it needs to crisp up so make sure it gets skillet surface time.

5/ if not using a meat product, add the protein product of your choice, which definitely includes tofu or, say, cubed eggplant -- in which case, treat the eggplant just like the tofu (see Step 1 if not using a fatty meat); stir to combine.*

6/ sprinkle 1-1/2 heaping T. Syrian za'atar over everything in the skillet and incorporate. let cook long enough to heat up the added za'atar.

7/ off heat, add 1/2 bunch of chopped cilantro leaves and 1/2-c. sour cream. give everything a final few stirs to mix it completely.

8/ serve in bowls, with a generous sprinkling of coarsely-ground black pepper, it's a great "anytime" meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner -- what does it matter? -- it's ALWAYS time for HOMINY WITH CHORIZO AND SYRIAN ZA'ATAR A LA HOLLIS!!

*if using tofu, drain it, press it with something heavy on top of some paper towels (top and bottom) for at least 15 min. then cube it and add to the lard (or grapeseed or other neutral oil, for the vegans and vegetarians among us).

THIS RECIPE CAN BE VEGETARIAN/VEGAN. JUST SUB TOFU OR CUBED EGGPLANT AND A NEUTRAL OIL FOR THE MEAT/FAT.