Middle Eastern cuisine has really become popular in the United States. In Houston, we enjoy a myriad of Middle Eastern Restaurants. One of the more popular seasonings in this cuisine is a spice called Za’atar. It is a popular, pungent Middle Eastern blend composed of toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, dried marjoram and sumac. It is sometimes mixed with olive oil and salt and is drizzled over hot bread or used as a dip for bread. Za’atar (also spelled zahtar) is also sprinkled over meats and vegetables as a seasoning. It can be found at most Middle Eastern groceries.
Source: Food Lover’s Companion (Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst)
Za’atar pita is one of my favorites. I have a Middle Eastern restaurant 2 blocks from my apartment, and it takes will power to not camp out on their doorstep daily just for the aromas.
Ever since I visited Bahrain and Kuwait, I have loved middle eastern food. We have an abundance of those restaurants in Houston.