I know you typically come to this site for sweets, but I need to tell you something. Za'atar bread is where it's at, man.
If you've never heard of za'atar spice, let me briefly explain.
Za’atar is a spice mix which is in frequent rotation in Middle Eastern cooking. It can be used as a flavoring ingredient in a recipe or treated as a condiment. In this za’atar bread recipe, it’s the key ingredient.
Typically, the flavorful mix includes thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, but it’s one of those things that everyone mixes just a little differently. Some mixes may include oregano or marjoram; some might even call for lemon zest. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong; it’s something that if you decide to make yourself, you can play with the ratio of ingredients to find the precise mix that works for you.
This recipe is based on a type of bread served at Bedouin Tent, the Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn I worked at during college. If I do say so myself, I did a pretty good job.