Welcome to SpiceTopia’s Flavors of the Mediterranean Dukkah & Sumac SpiceBox!
Our Flavors of the Mediterranean: Dukkah Gift Box not only includes a beautiful handmade and hand painted ceramic canister filled with Dukkah and a package of sumac, but also four delicious recipes to showcase the flavors of Dukkah. Just to make things easier and more delicious we’ve also added a jar of locally crafted olive crush.
Dukkah’s magic lies in its contrasting flavors and textures. Imagine the satisfying crunch of toasted nuts and seeds mingling with the earthy warmth of spices.In this box featuring some of our favorite Mediterranean recipes, you’ll find Dukkah, Sumac, and Dried Olives!
All the recipes included in this spicebox are not only flavorful, but also healthy. With the exception of the Dukkah Crusted Beef Fillet recipe, these recipes are full of veggies and mostly plant-based. Like most Mediterranean foods, they rely on olive oil, spices, and herbs to add flavor and excitement to simple healthy ingredients.
Dukkah
Dukkah (pronounced DOO-kah in English and Dua’ah in Egyptian Arabic) is a spice and nut mixture from Egypt and is very nourishing- packed full of protein-rich nuts and seeds full of healthy fats, minerals, as well as B & E vitamins– it could even be called a superfood spice blend!
For centuries in Egypt, dukkah has been served with flatbread and olive oil for breakfast or as a pick-me-up snack throughout the day. Today, dukkah remains a popular street food enjoyed in paper cones and endlessly tweaked by each vendor.
The dukkah included in your box is blended from cumin, black pepper, sesame seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and sumac berries. Where’s the nuts you might ask? Our dukkah is actually nut free which allows our kitchen to remain friendly while allowing you to add the nuts of your choice. Just add half a cup of nuts to 2 tablespoons of our Dukkah Spice Blend and coarsely grind using a food processor or mortar and pestle.
More Ways to Use Dukkah In Your Kitchen :
- Use dukkah as a coating for baked chicken or fish
- Add a bit to the top of dips like hummus or labneh
- Finish soups with a dash of dukkah (we love it on this peanut nut soup)
- Sprinkle over roasted vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower
- A tablespoon or two of ground dukkah added to shortbread cookies is a delightful surprise
- Grilled fruits, crumbles, or even ice cream are made more delicious with the addition of dukkah!
Learn More About Dukkah Here: The Story of Dukkah
Sumac
Sumac is one of those spices that is often overlooked in American recipes. With a gorgeous maroon color, it’s not a surprise that sumac is actually a ground berry. It has a tangy sour flavor that is a mix between raspberries and lemons.
Sumac’s earthy and tart flavor makes it a popular substitute for lemon, especially when the juiciness of lemon is not needed. Across the Mediterranean, sumac is used much like a condiment or a finishing spice. You’ll find it sprinkled on fresh cold dishes such as hummus, salads, and baba ganoush. It’s also often used as the finishing touch to hot recipes such as grilled meats and rice dishes.
Five Easy Ways To Use Sumac
- Add a pinch to your next batch of vinaigrette
- Sprinkle on hummus or baba ganoush
- Mix with salt and sprinkle on popcorn
- Marinate chicken with olive oil, orange juice, soy sauce, and sumac
- Sprinkle over your next bowl of watermelon
Learn More About Sumac Here: The Story of Sumac
Olive Crush
Olive Crush is an interesting condiment that is simply crushed dried green olives with a touch of salt. We love adding this to any dish that could use a pop of umami flavor. Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way!
How to Use Olive Crush?
- Add to your next pizza
- Garnish Avocado Toast
- Dip for boiled eggs
- Cocktail Rim
- Add to your next vinaigrette
Let’s Get Cooking
Dukkah Crusted Beef Fillet
This is one of those simple recipes that is great when you have company and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This recipe is easy and quick enough to make on a weekday. It does need to be closely watched for the 8 – 10 minutes it cooks to insure the nuts do not burn. If the nuts do get a little too toasty, remove the pan from the burner and turn down the heat. After about 1 – 2 minutes, put the pan back on the burner and continue cooking.
Dukkah Sauteed Spinach with Creamy Yogurt Sauce
Sautéed Spinach is one of those side dishes that’s easy and healthy, but not always so inspiring. We think this recipe solves the not-so inspiring part! The spinach is cooked until tender and silky, garlic adds a deep savory flavor, while the walnut dukkah adds an amazing crunch and nutty spice flavor, and the yogurt sauce drizzled on top adds a bright lemony flavor. This is a healthy vegetable side dish you’ll crave – we’ve even been known to eat it straight out of the pan!
Dukkah Spiced Hazelnut Butter
While peanut butter is the nut butter you’ll most likely find in American cupboards, around the world hazelnut butter wins the nut butter popularity contest! Adding dukkah spice blend to a nut butter just makes sense! This creamy version of spiced hazelnut butter has notes of pepper, citrus, and a bit of sweetness. We love using this recipe as a sauce added to noodles (serve hot or cold), a dip for veggies, stirred into soups, or even on sourdough toast!
One thing to keep in mind when blending hazelnuts is patience is key. When you first start blending the hazelnuts will turn into a sandy paste. Keep pulsing and scraping down the sides of the bowl until your hazelnuts turn into a creamy, smooth spread. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
Labneh Party Platter
Our Labneh Party Platter is an easy yet impressive dish to bring to the next potluck or a healthy snack for movie night. It’s simply labneh (strained yogurt) decoratively swirled across a platter or plate. Garnished with a healthy amount of extra virgin olive oil, toasted dukkah spice blend and nuts, and a sprinkle or two of dried olives. Feel free to add your favorite veggie or fruit! We love adding chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, pomegranate or even pickled cherries.
Labneh is a strained yogurt popular across the middle eastern world. Sometimes referred to as yogurt cheese, it has a lush and creamy texture a little bit like cream cheese or fresh goat cheese. It’s sometimes available in regular grocery stores, but it’s also easy enough to make at home. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 3 cups of whole milk plain yogurt. Place in a cheesecloth, place in a strainer over a bowl, place in the refrigerator, and allow it to drain for 24 – 48 hours. Proceed with the recipe.
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