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Dukkah from Down Under
There are two things that enhance and accentuate the taste of bread and are worthy of a home-baked loaf. One is softened butter, preferably with a tiny bit of fleur de sel either in it or sprinkled on it. The other is dukka. This mid-eastern melange of toasted and ground spices and nuts was the most interesting recipe I discovered during my first trip to Adelaide Australia.. It provides one of the simplest yet most pleasing cocktail nibbles.
Thick pieces of crusty bread or baguette are dipped first into fruity olive oil which then acts as a magnet for the coarsely powdered blend of spices.
Dukkah, which is very popular in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia, actually arrived there via Claudia Roden’s book “A New Book of Middle Eastern Food.” It was made popular by restaurateur Russell Jeavons of Wilunga. The version I am offering is based on his award winning one. But feel free to take flight from this basic recipe and personalize it according to your own taste with different nuts (pistachio or hazelnuts are a good choice) or a difference blend or balance of spices. That’s what they do down under!
Makes: 1 cup (3.5 ounces / 100 grams)
INGREDIENTS |
MEASUREMENTS |
WEIGHT |
|
|
volume |
ounces |
grams |
sliced almonds, preferably unblanched |
1 cup |
3 ounces |
85 grams |
sesame seeds (natural) |
4 teaspoons |
scant 0.5 ounce |
12.5 grams |
coriander seeds |
4 teaspoons |
scant 0.25 ounce |
6.25 grams |
cumin seeds or your favorite aromatic seed |
2 1/2 teaspoons |
scant 0.25 ounce |
6.25 grams |
sugar |
1/8 teaspoon |
. |
. |
salt |
1/8 teaspoon |
. |
. |
pepper |
3 grindings |
. |
. |
At least 20 minutes ahead of baking preheat the oven to 325°F.
1) On a baking pan with low sides, spread out the almonds. Place the sesame seeds, coriander seeds and cumin seeds in 3 separate small custard cups and set them on the pan.
2) Toast the nuts and seeds lightly, just until the almonds begin to color and the spices give off their aromas. The almonds and sesame seeds take 7 to 10 minutes, the coriander seeds 6 to 7 minutes and the cumin seeds about 5 minutes. Remove each of them as they reach this point.
3) Allow the nuts and seeds to cool.
4) In a spice grinder or small food processor, first grind together the coriander and cumin seeds until fine. Then add the sesame seeds and grind them to crush them slightly (about 3 pulses). Then add the almonds and pulse about 8 times until the nuts are in small pieces but not powdered.
4) Place the mixture in a container and whisk in the sugar, salt and pepper. Cover it tightly and allow it to sit for 8 hours to blend the flavors. For longer storage refrigerate for a few weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Comments
i love the idea of making a paste!
Reply to this Posted by: Rose Levy Beranbaum | September 24, 2007 7:38 AM #
I moved to Sydney from Brooklyn earlier this year. I had never seen dukkah in the US, but here different versions are everywhere! It is certainly delicious on bread, or if you add the olive oil directly into the spice mix, you can make a paste for coating chicken and fish that is wonderful.
Reply to this Posted by: steph | September 24, 2007 12:00 AM #
Very interesting. I make this great spice mix with cumin and I use it to marinade every thinkable type of meat that I will roast: chicken, duck, cow, lamb, sheep, thanksgiving turkey, etc. The same goes on roasted potatoes as the side dish.
Lots of cumin, non-spicy red pepper, oregano, garlic. If you want the flavor to penetrate all the way in the meat, you add vinegar and marinade for 24 to 36 hours!
It is a rather common hispanic base seasoning.
Reply to this Posted by: Hector | September 16, 2007 1:40 PM #
wow jaden--that is amazing considering i did this recipe about 5 years ago and never posted it before! it sure is a small food world.
congratulations on your eye surgery. great sounding recipes--i'll try that cauliflower soon--if that's your son he's adorable (and YOU are absolutely beautiful).
Reply to this Posted by: Rose Levy Beranbaum | September 16, 2007 11:19 AM #
Ok. What are the chances????
That is some strange foodie-connection. My post today:
Roasted Cauliflower with Dukkah; Bread with Olive Oil and Dukkah
Reply to this Posted by: Steamy Kitchen | September 15, 2007 5:09 PM #