Dukkah: An Egyptian Spice Mixture

Dukkah, which is pronounced doo-kah, is an Egyptian condiment/spice mixture with a distinctly nutty taste. It actually derives its name from the Arabic term for pounding which makes sense since the blend of spices is traditionally pounded together in a mortar and pestle. It's definitely not a typical spice blend but, rather, a wonderfully fragrant combination of roasted nuts and seeds.

Dukkah is commonly found in the markets of the Middle East, especially Egypt, and in the United States you should be able to find it ready made in most Middle Eastern markets, spice stores, and even chain stores like Trader Joe's and Target. But it's also easy enough to make at home and you'll get the benefit of the freshly roasted flavor. There are also a lot of possible variations so it's fun to experiment and find your perfect custom blend. The house dukkah, if you will.

Speaking of different blends, there are loads of different recipes for dukkah but some common ingredients that all the mixtures will probably include are nuts, sesame seeds, coriander, and cumin. Hazelnuts are the most common nuts used but, again, other ingredients such as pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds, might be used with or instead of the hazelnuts. From there, individual cooks can add their own touches like mint, dried thyme, or peppers for a bit of heat. Although most dukkah blends will probably not contain roasted chickpeas, some of the more ancient recipes call for them. And since I love all things chickpea, I knew I had to make my "house dukkah" that way.

The most common use for dukkah is as a crust for lamb, chicken, or fish. It's also wonderful sprinkled on roasted vegetables such as carrots, feta cheese, or as a dip for pita bread. Swirl it into some good olive oil or into your favorite tahini sauce or hummus.