Spices are must-haves to create exciting and tasty dishes. Without them, your food will most likely be bland and tasteless. And aside from giving your recipe more intricate flavors, certain spices can add a little kick to your difference. Some of the most common spices home cooks and professional chefs use are chiles, cloves, gingers, oregano, cumin, saffron, and turmeric. And although there are plenty of spices you can use, people may forget other herbs they can add to their dish, such as sumac.
The Sumac spice is one of the many staple ingredients in many recipes, especially in Middle-Eastern cuisines. And as a spice, you can expect that this ingredient will add a unique twist to otherwise ordinary or timeless dishes you can cook at home or find in restaurants. And if you are curious about how to use it, no worries! Here are five savory dishes you can make with sumac.
- Roasted Spiced Rack of Lamb
Let us start the list with a quick and easy meal you may find in many high-end restaurants. Lamb may seem intimidating to cook, especially for beginner home chefs. But if you do it properly, this protein can offer an unforgettable experience, and you will return for more. And if you are up for an adventure with sumac spice, this roasted spiced rack of lamb is a recipe you should try.
Enjoy a hearty and juicy rack of lamb that will take hours of preparation and less than an hour to cook. Marinade the lamb with yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne, salt, pepper, and ground cashews for 6 to 12 hours. After marinating, roast it for a few minutes for a juicy meal. And to compliment your lamb, pair it with a yogurt sauce consisting of yogurt, shallots, sumac, cilantro, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves.
- Harissa Chicken With Leeks and Potatoes
Chicken is a versatile protein you can use in many recipes. From feel-good fried food to hearty grilled or roasted options, it is no surprise many home cooks, and professional chefs enjoy cooking with this ingredient. Chicken also works well with spicy dishes. If you want to take your tastebuds on a chili yet savory adventure, try making some harissa chicken with leeks and potatoes.
Marinade the chicken in a bowl with the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, harissa paste, and lemon juice. Once finished, roast it on a baking sheet with potatoes and parsley. And as for the savory yogurt sauce, combine Greek yogurt, salt, pepper, parsley, honey, dill, sumac, and lemon juice. Serve the chicken over the potatoes and leeks and drizzle it with yogurt sauce for a spicy and savory meal.
- Merguez Meatballs With Mozzarella
Meatballs are one of the many feel-good and wholesome dishes you can serve for a hearty meal. Although many people may add meatballs as an ingredient to other dishes such as pasta, this protein can be the main star of a recipe. One good way to prepare meatballs is by frying them and serving them with sauce. But if you are up for a tasty meatball meal with a slight kick of sumac, try these merguez meatballs with mozzarella.
Savor a serving of fragrant meatballs packed with different flavors and spices. Enjoy the combined textures and flavors of ground meat, parsley, harissa, salt, paprika, cumin, coriander, sumac, turmeric, fennel, black pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon. Mozzarella cheese also serves as a filling for the protein and adds more taste. Garnish the meatballs with chili flakes and parsley for an additional kick!
- Mediterranean Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
The Mediterranean offers various dishes with unique textures and flavors to explore. From fresh fish to hearty meat recipes, it has a selection of mouth-watering and savory foods that will make you crave more. And if you are watching your diet or have a strict plan, salads may be your preferred meal. Luckily, you can do a Mediterranean-inspired dish with a slight kick with this Mediterranean roasted sweet potato salad.
This salad dish consists of three main components: farro, roasted sweet potatoes, and pickled onions. The farro comes with Tuscan kale, also known as Lacinato kale. Meanwhile, sweet potatoes require olive oil, ground sumac, salt, and pepper. Lastly, the pickled onions need red wine vinegar, sugar, lemon, mint leaves, hazelnuts, and cheese. Combine these three components correctly, and you will have a refreshing and healthy salad you can enjoy.
- Roast Chicken With Harissa and Couscous
Roast chicken is a timeless dish you may find in many restaurants or at home on special occasions. Aside from being relatively healthier when you compare it to its fried counterpart, roasted chicken offers a different experience when you eat it. This hearty and savory recipe can serve as a staple even if there is no special occasion. And if you feel like cooking a different variety of this recipe, try roast chicken with harissa and couscous.
This savory chicken recipe adds a little twist to a timeless favorite protein dish! Aside from the classic flavors of roasted chicken, you can also enjoy the exceptional tastes and textures of harissa sauce, couscous, and powdered sumac. Spread the harissa sauce underneath the chicken skin and on its top and bottom surface. Bake the chicken until it is crispy, and prepare the couscous a few minutes before the protein finishes cooking. Dust the chicken with sumac and sprinkle it with cilantro for a hearty roasted chicken recipe you can enjoy for lunch or dinner.
In a Nutshell,
Using sumac as an ingredient may be intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with it or how to use it. And because of the various spices home cooks and professional chefs use, it is no surprise if you overlooked this staple from the Middle East. Luckily, there are easy dishes you can try at home using this spice, and these are only some of the many recipes you can try at home with sumac. For more information and inspiration, feel free to visit Recipes.net.
