Guess what I got in the mail today!! Obvious-hint: it’s food-related. Okay, okay, I’ll just tell you – I finally got my copy of THE FLAVOR BIBLE in the mail!! If you haven’t heard of this magnum opus, it’s basically a treasure chest of information for cooks/foodies, containing a comprehensive list of ingredients, cuisines, and methodologies and their subsequent combinations. It is, really, everything you could want in a book about cookery.
This arrival comes at a fortuitous time, as I’m really trying to step up my knowledge of cooking and food in general. I’ve really been diving deep into this field and have been loving every minute it – just learning about different spices and herbs, cultural significance of dishes, and the like. It’s definitely been a positive occupancy in my mind, as I’m trying to stay hopeful about my current situation with work and life in general.
I know I’ve spoken on this subject before, but I really never tire of discussing the cultural significance of food and its unifying properties. Every country, region, and subculture in the world has their own cuisine, and it’s such an amazing way to learn about a given culture. But what’s even more intriguing are the similarities between cuisines that may, at first glance, seem completely different. My favorite example is pesto vs. chimichurri – Italian and Argentinian, respectively, these two sauces are made with shredded herbs (basil vs. parsley), and combined with olive oil, garlic, and an acid (with other add-ins). Two countries, thousands of miles away from each other, and geopolitically separated at that, have somehow found the same technique of shredding herbs into a lovely green sauce with garlic, oil, and an acid. And that’s not even bringing up chermoula, pistou, green harissa, salsa verde, and all the different types of chutneys. To me it’s just so cool how many variations there are on a single theme!
In this bowl, I featured za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend that is deliciously lemony and savory. You can get it at Whole Foods and some other grocery stores (I’ve seen it here and there), or on Amazon. But once you try it, I think it will be a regular staple in your pantry! Its flavor is subtle enough to add to a variety of dishes, but flavorful enough to really enhance a recipe.
Za'atar Roasted Potato Bowl
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 12-14 Small-ish Purple Potatoes
- 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 2 Tsp Za'atar
Smoky Tahini
- 1/3 Cup Tahini
- 1/6 Cup Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/6 Cup Water
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
To Serve
- Fresh Greens
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Wash and dry the purple potatoes. Cut into halves or fourths, depending on the size of the potato.
- In a bowl, mix potatoes with olive oil, salt, and za'atar. Depending on the type of za'atar you use, you may need to adjust the amount. Taste as you go.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake potatoes for about 20-30 minutes, or until slightly browned around the edges.
Smoky Tahini
- In a blender, combine tahini, lemon juice, paprika, water, and salt. Taste and adjust if needed.
Putting it All Together
- Fill Bowls with greens, and top with potatoes. Drizzle potatoes with tahini sauce, and sprinkle sesame seeds over everything.
Song of the Day
Begin – Wailin’ Jennys
34 Comments
Sophie | The Green Life
October 15, 2015 at 10:43 amI bought The Flavor Bible a few months ago and I LOVE it! It’s such a wonderful resource! And oh gosh za’atar is my best spice mix ever. I could seriously sprinkle it on everything!! So good.
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 1:43 pmIsn’t it the best?! I always love trying out new spice blends :D
Sydney | Modern Granola
October 15, 2015 at 11:55 amI think about the same thing with bread and dumplings sometimes. Every culture has some version of it, and they’re all so wonderfully different and delicious! Speaking of delicious… this looks and sounds incredible! Za’atar is one of my all time favorite ingredients. I have a big batch of roasted za’atar broccoli right now in my fridge! Love the looks of this bowl. Yum!
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 1:44 pmThanks Sydney! And good point about the bread/dumplings, nearly every culture has some version of it! But let’s be honest, I love bread in any form ;)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
October 15, 2015 at 12:39 pmThis simple bowl sounds so delicious! Love that smoky tahini!
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 1:44 pmThanks Katrina! :D
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
October 15, 2015 at 1:58 pmYou sound just like me! One of my favorite things is to learn about the food culture and cuisine of other countries! Food history and the customs surrounding it are amazing.
(And this dish…potatoes and smokey tahini…stolen my heart!)
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 4:41 pmFood culture lovers unite!! :D
jaime / the briny
October 15, 2015 at 3:27 pmhi sarah! that shot of the purple potatoes is absolutely gorgeous! i’m pretty new to your blog and i feel like i’m in a candy store (in the best way possible). thanks for sharing what you share — i’m really glad to be here! the cross-cultural food similarities is something that totally tickles me, too. such staples, like breads with similar shapes/functions popping up in so many different places around the world, all using the ingredients local to their cooks — it’s so beautiful.
this potato bowl looks absolutely delicious. thanks for the lovely reminder that i should crack open my own copy of the flavor bible more often. :)
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 4:41 pmAww thank you so much Jaime! Your note about being in a candy store made me smile real huge!! :D :D
Cara
October 15, 2015 at 5:06 pmI must check this book out! sounds extremely helpful. This bowl looks and sounds great! as always, I love reading your blog :)
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 7:04 pmYou definitely should!! It’s the best resource to have in your kitchen!! I got mine on amazon :)
Jess | Urban Alchemy
October 15, 2015 at 5:14 pmFirst of all your pictures are INSANE — and this sounds delicious! I l o v e potatoes and anything with tahini! Thanks for posting:)!
Sarah
October 15, 2015 at 7:05 pmThank you so much Jess!! :D
Hotly Spiced
October 15, 2015 at 10:06 pmI do love the look of the purple potatoes. What a pretty vegetarian dish xx
Sarah
October 16, 2015 at 12:31 pmAren’t they pretty? :D
danielle is rooting the sun
October 16, 2015 at 9:33 amsarah thank you so much for sharing this beautiful recipe and your associated enthusiasm for kitchen endeavors – it radiates and i love it. i love potatoes more than i could possibly relay to you – the addition of za’atar is wonderful! ♥
Sarah
October 16, 2015 at 12:32 pmAren’t potatoes the best!! :D
Grace
October 16, 2015 at 2:54 pmI’m so all about this beautiful potato bowl salad thing! Yum! And I feel your cultural food passions girl! I’ve been obsessing over this German online magazine – they make these little cooking videos with Syrian refugees – waay cool and worth checking out: http://www.ellevant.com/überdentellerrand-abid Have a good weekend!
Sarah
October 16, 2015 at 5:06 pmOoh that looks really cool!! Thanks for sending the link Grace!! :D
Melanie
October 16, 2015 at 6:44 pmI keep hearing about this spice za’atar! I have to try it one day because this bowl looks easy and delicious!! =)
Melanie | Toots & Dill
Sarah
October 16, 2015 at 8:14 pmIt is!! A whole lot of deliciousness for very little effort ;)
Rachel @ athleticavocado
October 16, 2015 at 8:53 pmWay to take the classic roasted potatoes to a whole new level! THis recipe looks incredible!
Sarah
October 17, 2015 at 8:18 amThanks Rachel!! :D
Alena
October 16, 2015 at 9:40 pmI looove Za’atar and I use the Vegetarian Flavor Bible for reference all the time! SO helpful!! Yummy!
Sarah
October 17, 2015 at 8:19 amIt’s my new favorite book!! ;)
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
October 17, 2015 at 10:50 amAh isn’t that book the best?! It seriously has changed my cooking life. So glad you have it to explore now too! Hope you have a yummy weekend friend! xo
Sarah
October 17, 2015 at 11:22 amYou as well lovely lady!! :D
Dani @ Dani California Cooks
October 17, 2015 at 6:27 pmI love that you added paprika to the dressing…I make a similar dressing and I think I’d love this smoky version!
Sarah
October 18, 2015 at 10:59 amThe smoked paprika adds a whole other dimension of flavor! If you try it let me know how it comes out :D
Molly
October 21, 2015 at 11:48 pmYummy! Those potatoes look so beautiful!
-Molly
apolloandluna.com
Sarah
October 22, 2015 at 7:26 amThank you Molly!! :D
Jill Fisher
October 27, 2017 at 4:44 amSome many colors and flavors vying for your attention! The bowl looks delectable and your pictures have me dreaming of food at work. This would make great mason jar meals with grain adds like some cooked farro, couscous or quinoa, or even plain steamed rice. Your recipe is perfect, although I’d sprinkle some chopped nuts or melon seeds for the omega fats.
Zaatar adds a fresh taste to dishes, but what you find in the market often lack the one crucial ingredient that makes the original blend so flavorful — real zaatar herb, and in good portion. Most sadly contain fillings like wheat, or even citric acid for sumac. That’s why I trust this online shop for my sumac and zaatar. If allowed in the comment, I’d suggest this site — http://www.eatzaatar.com.
Sarah
October 27, 2017 at 11:29 amHey Jill – thanks so much for your feedback! This would DEFINITELY be delicious as a mason jar lunch… I lived on mason jar lunches when I worked in an office, because they were so easy to pack + kept all the components fresh! :) Re: Za’atar, I got mine at Whole Foods, and it had pretty good flavor, but I don’t have it anymore so I can’t look at the ingredients list :/ I will definitely check out eatzaatar.com… I’m always looking for the best sources of quality spices! :)