Tuesday 21 June 2011

Zataar, Kekik and Thyme - Kitchen Miracles

Collected from the mountains




I was lucky to find a man selling fresh thyme at the bazaar the other day so I bought some.  You may also have heard of Zataar which is another word for this lovely herb.  You can buy zataar powder which has sesame seeds and other things blended in with it.  Kekik which is the Turkish word for this herb is used I believe mainly as a tea.


Zataar is fantastic spread ontop of flat bread with olive oil.  Sprinkled ontop of eggs in the morning.  Eaten with olive oil as an appetiser. Sprinkled ontop of labne. I have mixed it in with my falafels and just about anything.  It really is a must try.


Kekik tea is quite refreshing and has very good benefits mainly for respritory complaints.  It is supposed to be able to clear lung infections and help with coughs and used as an expectorant.  Thyme tea also has calming effects as it lowers cortisol levels in your body.


It also helps with muscle spasms and thyme oil can be used mixed in with a carrier oil and rubbed into the affected area.  You can also use this oil rubbed into the chest and back for respitory infections. 


It is an antibacterial so can be used for skin infections such as athletes foot.


Used as a mouth wash it is said to be good for gum problems and is also one of the main ingredients in listerine.


This is one herb that is a must in any kitchen and not only has a lovely taste when fresh, when dried can be used in any dish.  For those of you interested in healing with herbs or with foods thyme is a champion.



Simon and Garfunkel are one of my favorites.  Who dosnt remember the song Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme? Since they have a song with Thyme why dont we listen. 

6 comments:

  1. I've always loved that song! I made a lovely parsley,sage,rosemary and thyme dried seasoning to use on chicken and pork and it's yummy!

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  2. I LOVE Simon & Garfunkel-old memories

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  3. I will have to make that seasoning! would be great

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  4. I love Zataar and it is a stable breakfast food in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. My mother makes her own as many people from the region. it is a perrineal herb that comes out in the spring time and you can enjoy in the summer time too. I make salad with the leaves mixed with diced onions, lemon juice, salt, olive oil and a sprinkle of summac. its a wonderful herb that has a lot of flavor. thanks for sharing. :)

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  5. Sounds like a lovely salad will have to try it thanks, I make an onion salad with just the sumac and its lovely will add in the zataar.

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