Why We’re Obsessed with Za’atar (and the Ultimate Hummus + Healthy salad)

There’s something about Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food that just speaks to the soul. It’s vibrant, fresh, generous and always full of flavour. Around here, we're huge fans of Ottolenghi, and honestly, we rarely go a week without making hummus from scratch for our customers (yes, the real way – soak, simmer, blend, the whole shebang).

That love for bold flavours, punchy herbs, and slow-made goodness is exactly what inspired our Zesty Za’atar blend – a vibrant mix of organic thyme, lemony sumac, nutty sesame, and just a whisper of Aleppo chilli pepper. Ideal for adding life to just about anything you're cooking.

Homemade Hummus – The proper way 

We’re not into shortcuts when it comes to hummus. The canned stuff? Fine in a pinch. But if you want that smooth, nutty, ultra-creamy texture with deep flavour, this is the method to swear by.

Ingredients

• 250g dried chickpeas

• 1 tsp baking soda (for soaking + cooking)

• 1 garlic clove

• 120ml tahini

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt, to taste

• Ice water, to thin

• 1 tbsp clarified butter (or olive oil)

• 1 tsp ZEST Zesty Za’atar blend

• Optional extras: oven-smoked paprika, roasted garlic, fire-roasted red pepper, or a pinch of your fave ZEST spice blends like Garlic Lover's Gold, Bella Italia or Cheeky Chipotle.

Method

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight in cold water with a pinch of baking soda.

2. Drain and rinse, then simmer in fresh water with a little more baking soda until meltingly soft (around 40–50 mins).

3. Drain and let cool slightly. Blitz with garlic, tahini, lemon juice and salt. Slowly add ice water while blending until you get that silky-smooth texture.

4. Serve warm or chilled. Top with clarified butter, a heavy sprinkle of Zesty Za’atar, and anything else your tastebuds fancy.

Now that you’ve got your hummus game on point, it’s time to put it to work in a meal that brings freshness and comfort.

Roasted Carrot & Chickpea Salad

After all the holiday indulgence, this is our go-to for something lighter, brighter, and still completely satisfying. Roasted veg, crispy chickpeas, fresh greens, and a citrusy tahini dressing all brought together with our Zesty Za’atar blend.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 500 g carrots, peeled + cut into batons or coins

• 1 can (400 g) chickpeas, drained + rinsed

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 Tbsp ZEST Zesty Za’atar, divided

• 200 g mixed greens (spinach, rocket, romaine – your call)

• Seeds from 1 pomegranate

• 50 g crumbled feta or plant-based cheese (optional)

• A handful of toasted nuts/seeds – we love pistachios or almonds

For the dressing:

• 3 Tbsp tahini

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• Pinch of sea salt

• Water to thin

Method

1. Roast the veg
   Preheat oven to 200 °C (390 °F). Toss carrots + chickpeas in olive oil and 1 tbsp Zesty Za’atar. Spread on a tray and roast 20–25 mins, flipping once, until golden and crisp.

2. Mix the dressing
   Whisk tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, honey/maple, and garlic. Add water little by little until it’s creamy and pourable. Season with salt.

3. Build the salad
   In a big bowl, toss greens with roasted veg + chickpeas. Drizzle with tahini dressing, top with another tbsp of Zesty Za’atar.

4. Finish strong
   Scatter over pomegranate seeds, feta (if using), and toasted nuts or seeds. Serve warm or at room temp.

Why We Can’t Get Enough of Zesty Za’atar

This is one of those spice blends that makes everything pop. It’s punchy but balanced – the thyme gives depth, sumac adds brightness, lemon zest lifts it all, and sesame brings that toasty nuttiness. A touch of chilli adds warmth without overpowering.

It’s insanely versatile too:

• Dust over hummus or labneh

• Rub on chicken or roasted aubergine

• Mix with olive oil as a bread dip

• Sprinkle on eggs, roasted potatoes, popcorn – go wild

And yep, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and totally additive-free. Just flavour, the way nature intended.

Ready to Cook?

You can shop our Zesty Za’atar blend right here – and while you’re at it, browse our full collection of spice blends designed to make every meal a little less boring and a lot more delicious.

Let your food feel as good as it tastes this New Year ✨