Dukkah

Merlin's Grove Dukkha is available for $6

Merlin's Grove Dukkah (pronounced doo –ka) is a delicious combination of Middle Eastern spices and flavours: hazelnuts, almonds or chickpeas as a base, along with pepper, coriander, cumin and sesame seeds.

Dukkah has a long tradition in the Middle East and has been enjoyed by many of its cultures.   After a tiring day traveling with camels, Arabs would gather around a small fire roasting spices, nuts and seeds, and finally crushing them into a coarse powder.   They would then take hunks of bread, dipping it first into olive oil, and then into the Dukkah to satisfy their hunger.

Today Dukkah may be enjoyed from Egyptian street vendors.   A small paper cone is filled with Dukkah and given to the customer along with strips of pita bread, which are dipped into the vendors bowl of olive oil and then into the Dukkah in the traditional way.   Each vendor has a unique Dukkah recipe and is fiercely proud of his combination of traditional and regional flavours.

Of course Dukkah need not only be enjoyed in the traditional way.   It is a very versatile seasoning and works equally as well sprinkled on salads or vegetables, mixed with honey as a sweet sandwich spread, as a crust for roasted chicken, lamb, or fish, or even mixed into bread dough before baking.

Add to couscous, stuffing or breadcrumbs to coat. Combine with yogurt or cream cheese for an addictive dip or topping.