Zaatar Croutons Food

ZA'ATAR SPICE BLEND

Steps:

• Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl or jar, and stir to combine.
• For enhanced flavor, warm the spices together in a medium skillet over medium heat, until fragrant and the sesame seeds are starting to turn golden. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl to cool. (Skip this step if you will be baking your za'atar on pita bread, which essentially does the same thing.)
• Store za'atar in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• Preheat 2 baking sheets in a 450 degree oven. Quarter 4 pounds carrots lengthwise and toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spread on the hot baking sheets and roast until browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Toss with 4 teaspoons za'atar (a spice blend available at Middle Eastern markets), 3 tablespoons chopped parsley and the juice of 1 lemon.

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH ZA'ATAR, POTATOES, AND GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a small bowl, mix za'atar with 2 tablespoons oil and 2 teaspoons salt.
• With a sharp knife, cut two 1-inch-long slashes in each piece of chicken, through skin and down to bone. Rub za'atar mixture all over chicken and into slashes.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast in lower third of oven, stirring once, until starting to brown, about 20 minutes. Toss onion with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper; add to baking sheet along with chicken pieces and lemon halves. Roast until a thermometer inserted into thickest parts of chicken (not touching bones) registers about 150 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Switch oven to broiler setting. Move baking sheet to upper third of oven; broil until chicken is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle kale lightly with oil; season with salt and pepper. Scatter kale over chicken and broil until just wilted and thermometer inserted into thickest parts of chicken registers 165 degrees, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let cool slightly, then squeeze lemon halves over chicken. Remove chicken to a platter; toss vegetables together and serve alongside.

ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• Put all of the ingredients into a spice grinder and pulse until a powder is formed, about 30 to 45 seconds. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

ZA'ATAR CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Unroll the croissant dough and use a knife to separate the dough triangles. Scatter all of the cheddar, ¾ of the parmesan and 1½ tbsp of the za'atar over the dough triangles, pressing the mixture in with your hands so that it sticks.
• Starting from the base of one triangle, roll the dough upwards towards the narrow point. Bend each end in slightly to form a croissant shape. Repeat with the remaining dough. Put the croissants on the lined baking tray, brush each one with the beaten egg and sprinkle over the remaining parmesan and za'atar. Bake for 15-20 mins until deep golden brown.