Umm Ahmad’s Zaatar Bread

Today Zeek and I were treated to lunch with very special bread, made by his Mother.

This Zaatar (Thyme)bread being made by Zeek’s Mother is commonly made at harvest time. Her mother taught her to make the bread when she was quite young. She, in turn, was taught by her mother and so on for untold generations.

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First, flour is added to the mixing bowl. Zaatar that has been soaked in hot water for a few minutes is then added to the flour. Yeast is also used. The yeast is stirred into warm water with sugar and allowed to stand for a few minutes to proof, and then stirred into the flour mixture. The dough, after kneading forms a rather stiff dough that clings to the mixer paddle, forming a ball. The dough is then removed from the mixing bowl, flattened, and cut into round pieces. After that, it’s covered with shrink film and allowed to rise for around 15-20 minutes in a warm oven.

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After rising, the bread is flattened by hand and baked at 375°F until a light, crisp, golden brown. These bread pieces have a consistency similar to shortbread cookies. They’re eaten with fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, etc, and cups of sweet tea.

Umm Ahmad is an amazing cook, and she has prepared meals every day that make our hearts sing! Having her in our house has been a great experience, and we will certainly be sad when she goes back home to Jordan!

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About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
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4 Responses to Umm Ahmad’s Zaatar Bread

  1. David Deir's avatar David Deir says:

    And I’m jealous! it looks so good! sahha 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing. (The photos. Unfortunately not the bread)

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Making me hungry.

    Liked by 1 person

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