Za'atar Dressing and Salad Recipe

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern Spice Combination that really answered my need for a new zesty salad dressing!

Traditional Za'atar is a mix of sumac, sesame seeds, and thyme. I've also seen oregano and basil used but feel those additions makes the dressing seem a little "Italian" for my preference.

Za'atar Dressing:
Whisk together Juice half lemon + equal amount olive oil 

(I use less because of my fat gram limitations and it is still wonderful, though the oil does help the dressing "cling") 

4 cloves minced garlic

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp black pepper 

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp Za'atar (grind together 1 part sumac, 2 parts thyme, 1 part ground sesame seeds in mortar)

Salad:
3 tomatoes, eighth-ed

1/2 sweet onion

1/2 cucumber, diced 

head romaine lettuce torn into bite size pieces 

3T fresh parsley

3 T fresh mint

(add banana peppers and kalamata olives will give the salad a distinct Greek feel)

Toss dressing with Salad and let "rest" at room temp about 30 min for flavors to develop... keeps well in fridge "mixed" overnight if use mix of romaine and iceburg.