Thursday, April 15, 2010

Snack Time: Labne with Za'atar and Olive Oil

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Hmm, this post is what my mother would call a cheatsie. As a child before TV, she and her sister spent hours playing card games. Double Solitaire was a favorite and, from time to time, when the cards weren't agreeing, my mother and aunt allowed one, two or even three cheatsies - depending on the day - where they could peer at hidden cards or reshuffle those in their hands. While I'm an admitted TV addict, I love getting away with my family where we play cards together constantly and laugh and get mad and tease and allow little cheatsies from time to time.


Well, today's recipe is a cheatsie because it's really more of a suggestion than anything else. I'm a snacker, someone who eats throughout the day and, if I don't have something healthy and alluring on hand, then I'll go for chocolate or cookies or cake for sure. My most recent filling and delicious snack is labne topped with za'atar spice and olive oil. Labne is a cultured Lebanese yogurt. It's very thick and tangy. Za'atar is a Lebanese spice consisting of hyssop, sesame seeds and a few other things. It sort of tastes like thyme. I discovered this particular combo at a humuus shop and am completely obsessed.


Labne with Za'tar and Olive Oil
(Again, this doesn't really warrant a recipe, but it's a great idea and one that could be altered in some many different ways: lemon juice and carrot sticks instead of olive oil and pita bread is one idea.)

What You'll Need:
2 tbsp Labne or thick Greek yogurt
1-2tsp Za'atar Spice
1-2 tsp Olive Oil
1 piece of pita bread, warm

Add the labne to a bowl and top with the olive oil and za'atar and enjoy with the pita. That's it!


Approximate Cost:
Groceries: $1
Cost per Meal: 1 snacky

This Time Last Year: Risotto Milanese with Scallops and Balsamic Reduction

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11 comments:

  1. May not require a recipe, but I love it. I'm a big eater of carrot sticks and am always looking for ways to make 'em more exciting. Ta!

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  2. A very delicious way to use za'atar spice...mix with feta cheese, olive oil, chopped cherry tomatoes and chopped green onions. Add enough olive oil to make a creamy consistency. A yummy dip for warm pita triangles, or crunchy veggies. My adult kids go crazy for it!

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  3. Your pictures always make me so hungry! I really like that you added "this time last year" to help find other seasonal recipes really quickly. Thanks!

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  4. Sush, I just love that idea. I actually have been getting some lovely cherry tomatoes from this greenhouse farmer. Next snacktime, I'll try it out.

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  5. My hubby is a huge fan of za'atar, and we have a big old container of it at home waiting to be used. Can't wait to try it.

    Love the story behind this one. I'll be adding the word "cheatsie" to vocabulary.

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  6. I will also add the word "my" to "my" vocabulary.

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  7. I'll have to see if I can find that spice. Sounds too easy to pass up.

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  8. This looks amazing - and I cannot wait to try it. I think I may feature it at my luncheon as well! The color contrast is really beautiful too.

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  9. Hee hee, thanks everyone! I had no idea 'cheatsie' would be such an infectious word.

    Alisa - I probably should've written a note on where to find za'atar since it can be tricky outside of big cities. Not exactly local, but then how would we ever eat world cuisine if every single thing was grown next door;)

    Penzeys - http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

    The Spice House - http://www.thespicehouse.com/

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  10. I tried it, and it was fantastic. It was creamy and delicious. We also had some hummus, which was a nice touch. Yummers!

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  11. A - with hummus and even a little babaganoush and tabouli on the side, you have yourself a feast!! So glad you liked it!

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