Za’atar – meaning ‘wild thyme’ in Arabic – is an increasingly popular Middle Eastern spice blend of toasted sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram or oregano, sumac and salt, which can be sprinkled liberally onto flatbreads, mixed with olive oil as a dip or even tossed over roasted veg. The za’atar in this recipe really brings a new flavour dimension to these crispy, salty, spicy and sweet phyllo morsels. Amazing as a canapé or a starter, these can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Delish Sisters
2 or 3 sheets phyllo pastry
100 g butter, melted
1 block halloumi, chopped into 8 to 10 sticks (approximately 1 cm thick)
40–50 ml (8–10 tsp) za’atar spice
40–50 ml (8–10 tsp) runny honey
Fresh thyme to garnish
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
- Brush a sheet of phyllo pastry with melted butter and fold it in half.
- Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut the pastry in half and in half again, so you have four equal rectangles of phyllo pastry.
- Lay a stick of halloumi on one end of the phyllo rectangle and roll into a cigar-like shape, encasing the halloumi in pastry.
- Fill a baking tray with your halloumi phyllo cigars and brush with butter.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and beautiful.
- Remove from the oven, drizzle each one with 5 ml (1 tsp) honey and top with a 5 ml (1 tsp) sprinkle of za’atar spice. Garnish with curly stems of fresh thyme and enjoy.