Have you ever gone into a store or restaurant and just felt you belonged there?
You enjoy the new sights, smells and offerings that fill the shelves or menu and it beckons you to enjoy things you’ve had in the past and things you want to try.
I definitely felt this way when I went to Neomonde, a Mediterranean deli here in Raleigh, for the first time.
I was welcomed by two of my favorite things in the world: restaurants and grocery stores (the place is divided half and half).
And if that didn’t get to my culinary-loving soul, the fresh-baking pita and smell of falafel did me in.
Oh and I got a healthy, “half” falafel which was a perfect lunch portion for me and under $4!
I also picked up a bag of freshly-made (in their snazzy pita pit oven that’s been going for 37 years) whole wheat pita (for less than $2) that is so fresh and tasty. From the grocery store part, I nabbed a container of za’atar (for less than $3).
They had so many spices, whole and ground, for such great deals that it really is a miracle I didn’t leave with a lot more.
With those ingredients on hand, I crafted an incredibly simple and flavorful Za’atar Dip.
If you’ve never had za’atar it’s a mix of Mediterranean spices, including oregano, thyme, savory, sumac and I think there are even sesame seeds in my mix. I’m quickly learning that za’atar is great on anything savory whether you’re roasting a veggie or marinating a chicken in a spiced yogurt mix.
You can za’atar that!
To make my Za’atar Dip, all you have to do is combine some olive oil (about 1 tbs.) and a bit of za’atar (1/2 tsp. or so, season to tate) and serve it with homemade pita chips (rip up pieces of fresh pita and toast them until crisp).
Dip your pita chips, scoop up some spiced oil or even just pour the oil onto your crisps.
It’s the perfect snack or appetizer that takes about 5 minutes to make! Some olives and feta would not be a bad combo at all with this plate of tasty bites.