ZA'ATAR ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST ENJOY DAN:

                  ZA’ATAR ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST by CHEF DAN:

serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

4 chicken breasts, bone on skin on

Salt and pepper

3 tablespoons Za’atar (recipe to follow)

2 tablespoon slivered almonds

1 tablespoon pine nuts

1/2-cup fresh parsley leaves

MARINATE:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4-cup olive oil

1-tablespoon sumac, + more for later

1-tablespoon EACH allspice, cinnamon, and saffron

2 teaspoons smoked paprika, + more for later

6 garlic cloves lightly crushed

I onion, diced

1/2-lemon sliced

DIRECTIONS: (PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 F)

1.   In mixing bowl add a marinate ingredients.

2.   Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag, add marinate ingredients.

3.   Marinate in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight.

4.   Transfer chicken breast and marinate to prepared baking dish.

5.   Sprinkle with a little more sumac, and paprika.

6.   Now sprinkle with Za’atar, another 1 teaspoon for the underneath of the skin.

7.   Place in preheated oven and roast for 40-45 minutes.

8.   Remove from heat, and sprinkle with the remaining Za’atar

9.   Garnish with toasted nuts and fresh parsley.

ZA’ATAR SPICE BLEND:

1/2-cup dried thyme

1 tablespoon EACH oregano and marjoram leaves

1/2-teaspoon salt

1/4-teaspoon toasted sesame seeds.

DIRECTONS:

Toasted sesame seeds set aside.

In a spice grinder, grind thyme and next 3 ingredients, mix in sesame seeds.

Place in Mason jar with lid for 6 months.

ENJOY DAN:                       ENJOY LIFE EAT MEDITERRANEAN FOOD!!