Store bought pita bread can easily be transformed into something a bit more interesting to serve with hummus and other dips. Sumac berries are from the plant Rhus glabra, not to be confused with Rhus toxicodendron, a poisonous plant. Dried, crushed sumac berries are available on line at zamourispices.com or at grocery stores in cities with large Middle Eastern populations, both in Mexico and north of the border.
Ingredients:
- 4 pita bread rounds, about 7 inches each
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried sumac berries
- olive oil for drizzling
Preparation:
Brush the pita bread rounds with the egg white.
Grind the sesame seeds, thyme leaves and sumac berries in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Do not grind too finely; the zahtar mixture should have some texture.
Sprinkle the zahtar mixture over the pita bread rounds and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake at 350ºF for 8-10 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with appetizers, dips, or as an accompaniment to a meal. Makes 32 wedges.
