Dukkah

Spiced Carrot Soup With Roasted Chickpeas and Tahini
Soup

Oh-So Satisfying: Spiced Carrot Soup

I've sung pureed soup's praises before, and I'll sing them again: few foods are more satisfying, nourishing, and leftovers-friendly while still allowing room for experimentation and intrigue.
by

I've sung pureed soup's praises before, and I'll sing them again: few foods are more satisfying, nourishing, and leftovers-friendly while still allowing room for experimentation and intrigue. This Middle Eastern spiced carrot soup is no exception. Creamy without using cream and garnished with all matter of excellent nibbles, it's the sort of soup that is worthy of a light meal in and of itself.

A quick word on the garnishes: I know what you're thinking: four components for one soup . . . isn't that a hair excessive? The short answer is no. Spiced chickpeas, a tahini-lemon dollop, dukkah, and parsley make the soup the lovely dish it is by providing loads of textural and flavor contrast, while adding minimal time and effort to the recipe.

Keep reading for the warmly spiced recipe.

Gary and Kit's Dukkah Review
Food News

Artisanal Pick: Gary & Kit's Dukkah

While we're always excited about the newest Hershey's candy or next Cheetos flavor, we adore trying handmade, artisanal products from smaller vendors.
by

While we're always excited about the newest Hershey's candy or next Cheetos flavor, we adore trying handmade, artisanal products from smaller vendors. In our new series Artisanal Pick, we're highlighting small-batch products that we've tried, tested, and devoured.

Today, we're talking dukkah — more specifically, two blends from Gary & Kit's Napa Valley, an offshoot of local favorite Clif Family Winery. Dukkah, a versatile Egyptian spice, nut, and sesame seed seasoning, can be sprinkled on roasted vegetables, swirled into soup, or used as a spice-nut crust for meat. But our favorite way to enjoy this new product is also the most traditional: employed as a dip for pita and breads when mixed with olive oil (the company also makes an excellent extra-virgin bottling for $20).

The dukkah line comes in several flavors. Green-tea fanatics will spring for the grassy Gary & Kit's Toasted Sesame & Pistachio ($7), which, with its anise-licorice flavor and piney aftertaste, is reminiscent of the warming beverage. We loved it swirled with fruity olive oil as an accompaniment to pita and imagine that it would also be at home sprinkled on steamed vegetables like green beans for a light, vegan-friendly side as well.

See our favorite when you read more.

What Is Dukkah, or Duqqa?
definition

Definition: Dukkah

If you're in a Middle Eastern market, you might come across dukkah (sometimes spelled duqqa), an Egyptian blend of toasted nuts, spices, and herbs.
by

If you're in a Middle Eastern market, you might come across dukkah (sometimes spelled duqqa), an Egyptian blend of toasted nuts, spices, and herbs.

The ingredient assortment is widely based on personal preference, but often includes toasted hazelnuts or chickpeas as a nut base, along with spices (such as coriander, cumin, sesame seeds, or za'atar). The mixture is ground together to form a coarse powder.
The powder is then used as a seasoning (for lamb stew), a dip (along with olive oil for pita or bread), a crunchy coating for baking protein, or a topping on salads. Have you ever tried dukkah?

Source: Flickr User jules:stonesoup