I woke up late one summer day to find teeta (grandma) not far away from home in a wild nearby field collecting fresh za'atar (thyme) in her blueish floral apron hanging down from her skinny waist. I took a peak through the rustic glass window with a deep fresh breeze on my face. I smiled.
I knew what teeta is about to do next. Teeta will shortly rush into her teeny kitchen and call for help. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the attic. I climbed on the wooden ladder and brought down the za'atar grinder with the plastic jars.
As soon as I came down from the attic, I heard teeta's footsteps. "Everything is ready teeta," I said.
Teeta rushed in with an apron full of fresh thyme. I held the grinder with two hands and teeta placed a big bunch of thyme in the grinder with some sumac and then started her melody. Sumac and thyme from one side and the tossing of sesame seeds up in the air on the other.
A beautiful piece with a sprinkle of salt at the end.
Teeta placed her rustic kettle on the stove for some tea. As she was listening to my growling stomach, she opened my hand placed a mix of za'atar in it. She kissed me and said,"It is time for thyme."
*Za'atar is a beautiful mix of herbs: Dried thyme leaves, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt
Za'atar is a love for all that runs in my family as well as families in large in the Middle East
Now time for some Thyme Bread!
Ingredients:
Dough ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 tsp dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp brown sugar
Olive oil
* Mix the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients. Oil should be added slowly to obtain a soft smooth and not sticky dough. Prepare dough into medium balls. Cover and rest for half an hour
Dough filling:
1/2 cup fresh thyme
3/4 cup sweet cheese
* Remove stems from thyme. Place in a bowl. Shred sweet cheese. Add to the thyme
Preparation:
Prepare a bowl with olive oil next to the kneading plate. Use small balls of dough one at a time to knead with oil. Dip your hand in the bowl of oil and spread on the plate. Knead your ball of dough inside the plate. Add one layer of the thyme cheese mix on one side of the dough. Fold in four. Then dip your hand in oil and knead to obtain a flat rectangular bread. Your dough should not be more than 1 inch thick. The thinner the tastier!
Heat oven to 375 degrees
Place bread on a baking pan. Bake until golden brown
* You can also arrange some fresh thyme on the top layer of your bread
I knew what teeta is about to do next. Teeta will shortly rush into her teeny kitchen and call for help. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the attic. I climbed on the wooden ladder and brought down the za'atar grinder with the plastic jars.
As soon as I came down from the attic, I heard teeta's footsteps. "Everything is ready teeta," I said.
Teeta rushed in with an apron full of fresh thyme. I held the grinder with two hands and teeta placed a big bunch of thyme in the grinder with some sumac and then started her melody. Sumac and thyme from one side and the tossing of sesame seeds up in the air on the other.
A beautiful piece with a sprinkle of salt at the end.
Teeta placed her rustic kettle on the stove for some tea. As she was listening to my growling stomach, she opened my hand placed a mix of za'atar in it. She kissed me and said,"It is time for thyme."
*Za'atar is a beautiful mix of herbs: Dried thyme leaves, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt
Za'atar is a love for all that runs in my family as well as families in large in the Middle East
Now time for some Thyme Bread!
Ingredients:
Dough ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 tsp dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp brown sugar
Olive oil
* Mix the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients. Oil should be added slowly to obtain a soft smooth and not sticky dough. Prepare dough into medium balls. Cover and rest for half an hour
Dough filling:
1/2 cup fresh thyme
3/4 cup sweet cheese
* Remove stems from thyme. Place in a bowl. Shred sweet cheese. Add to the thyme
Preparation:
Prepare a bowl with olive oil next to the kneading plate. Use small balls of dough one at a time to knead with oil. Dip your hand in the bowl of oil and spread on the plate. Knead your ball of dough inside the plate. Add one layer of the thyme cheese mix on one side of the dough. Fold in four. Then dip your hand in oil and knead to obtain a flat rectangular bread. Your dough should not be more than 1 inch thick. The thinner the tastier!
Heat oven to 375 degrees
Place bread on a baking pan. Bake until golden brown
* You can also arrange some fresh thyme on the top layer of your bread