Discovering sumac

September 28, 2014 by
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Chickpea salad

Some ingredients go from obscure to rock star seemingly overnight, and one recent example is sumac. Sumac’s meteoric rise can be attributed in large part to authors emphasizing Middle Eastern flavors like Yotam Ottolenghi and Louisa Shafia, but the spice is now popping up everywhere. Indexed blog The Kitchn tells us why we should have sumac in our spice cabinet, and the reasons seem compelling.

The sumac we eat is not the same plant that can give you a nasty rash, although they are in the same family. The name sumac can be traced back from the Syrian word summaq meaning “red.” The fruits (technically drupes) of the plant are ground to make a reddish powder that has a tart flavor sometimes described as lemony. It adds a tangy touch to many foods, often sprinkled on the top before serving. You can increasingly find it in supermarkets, but if not, you can easily find it online.

Sumac is frequently found in Middle Eastern dishes and is best known as an ingredient in fattoush salad, za’atar spice rub, or as an addition to tabbouleh. Popular recipes using sumac in the EYB Library include:

Sumac-roasted chicken du Monde from Bi-Rite Market’s Eat Good Food
Fattoush salad with chicken, pistachio and pomegranate from  Ripe Recipes: A Fresh Batch
Fennel and feta with pomegranate seeds and sumac from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook
Turmeric chicken with sumac and lime from The New Persian Kitchen
Chickpea salad with red onion, sumac, and lemon from The Kitchn (pictured above)

What’s your favorite use for sumac?

 

Category: Food Online

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3 Comments

  • Jane  on  September 28, 2014

    I was introduced to sumac by Ottolenghi and it's his recipe for Baby spinach salad with dates and almonds in Jerusalem that I use it on the most. I haven't tried the recipe for Fennel and feta with pomegranate seeds and sumac yet but that looks a good one now pomegranates are back in season.

  • wester  on  September 28, 2014

    Za'atar is lovely and has sumac as an important ingredient, but I think the recipes that actually introduced me to the spice are Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Cauliflower with toasted seeds (which I hadn't reviewed yet as it wasn't indexed when I first made it – repaired now) and the alternative preparation of Squid with chilli, lemon zest and garlic by the same author. A strange thing I have noticed that in almost every recipe that ask for sprinkling with paprika, sumac can be substituted. even though the flavors are not alike in any way. They do look similar though…

  • Cubangirl  on  September 28, 2014

    I too bought it for Ottolenghi, but now use it a lot. I sprinkle it on salads, use for chicken and beef. I love it.

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