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Middle Eastern food is known for its excellent flavors that come from adding plenty of herbs and spices. While most of these herbs and spices can be found around the world, Middle Eastern cuisine uses them in a specific way that gives the dishes a strong and distinct flavor. If you are looking to spice up some of your food and give it a taste of the Middle East, try adding some of these dried herbs to your dishes. These dried herbs are a must when making dishes that are packed with flavor. So give them a try, and let us know what you think!
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Za’atar
When people think of Middle Eastern herbs, za’atar is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The word Za’atar is the Arabic term for both the herb and a spice mix. The herb refers to Syrian oregon, which is a plant that is native to the Middle East. It has a similar flavor to thyme, and it has a slight peppery flavor.
The za’atar herb is also a key ingredient in the za’atar spice mix. The spice mix is made from herbs such as Syrian oregano, marjoram, coriander, cumin, sesame seeds, and salt. Each Middle Eastern country makes its own version of za’atar. However, they all tend to have similar ingredients and are used similarly. You can easily incorporate za’atar into your daily life by adding it to sandwiches and salads or sprinkling it on vegetables such as roasted potatoes. Try out my homemade za’atar recipe and use it to season your chicken, or make a tasty za’atar manakeesh.
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Mint
Dried mint is another commonly used herb in Middle Eastern cuisine. It is used to give dishes that iconic minty flavor without needing to get fresh herbs from the grocery store. It is simple, easy to use, and can elevate the flavors of any dish.
Many rubs for meat such as steak, chicken, or rack of lamb call for dried mint. It adds a refreshing, cooling taste to the meat. Dried mint can also be added to salads for a slight hint of mintiness. Another excellent dish that uses dried mint is a light yogurt sauce that can be drizzled over meat. All you need to make this sauce is yogurt, salt, dried mint, and raw garlic. The result is a tangy, savory sauce that will brighten up the taste of meat.
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Sumac
This vibrant, red-colored herbal spice is highly popular in Middle Eastern cooking. It gives dishes a sour, lemony flavor. The unique flavor of sumac is distinctly Arabic, and it is recognizable in most dishes. Sumac is often used in salads such as the traditional fattoush salad. It can also be used as a regular seasoning for meats and vegetables. For example, I love to season my grilled zucchini with sumac and serve it at a BBQ; it is always a crowd favorite! Sumac is also excellent for your health, and it has plenty of anti-inflammatory properties. This is because it has plenty of nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial to blood sugar.
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Parsley
Parsley is a significant herb in Middle Eastern foods. In fact, there is an entire salad made from parsley called tabbouleh. This salad is made up of lots of Italian parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, bulgar, lemon juice, and fresh mint. Since parsley is the main ingredient, the salad has a strong, slightly bitter herbal taste. Dried parsley is also commonly used as a seasoning for soups, stews, beef, and chicken. So next time you want to add an exciting herb to your chicken dish, season it with some dried parsley!
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Saffron
Saffron is a herbal plant that is native to the Middle East. The spice is used in many cuisines worldwide, and it is famously used in paella. One of the most popular Middle Eastern dishes with saffron is saffron rice. Saffron rice is yellow, long grain rice that is light, fluffy, buttery, and slightly salted. In Iran, this delicious rice is served with zereshk polo, which is a type of saffron chicken kebab. When saffron is used in marinades for chicken, it turns the meat a bright yellow tint. Saffron makes dishes visibly more vibrant while also providing health benefits. For instance, it has been shown to improve your mood and prevent memory loss.
Bio:
Hi, I’m Rana and I blog at ranasrecipe.com. My passion for food began very early in my life. And after managing a cafe, a granola business and helping other food businesses scale up, I found my true calling in creating wonderful recipes so that everyone can enjoy cooking as much as I do! Don’t forget to follow me on my social channels- instagram and pinterest.
