Sumac: How and where to use it?

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:10

Can anyone tell me where it is appropriate/desirable to season food with Sumac? Is it just for meat?



I hate not knowing how to use a herb/spice - love cooking.



Is this peculiar to Turkey/cyprus or is its use widespread throughout the arab world also?



Replies appreciated

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:15

I use it in Hummus, in stews during winter,and with fish in summer...turns red and can replace lemon...

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:17

Look here suehowlittle,



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/342102/sumac_spice_uses_in_middle_eastern.html

mersin10



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 94

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:25

I use it for everything,good in salads.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:45

Mersin10...Literally Everything.....??...... .......the mind boggles...

mersin10



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 94

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 18:49

ok bought some tooth paste

herindoors


Joined: 13/01/2007
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 19:03

Where did you buy this spice? Was it ready made and did you buy it locally , would love to buy and try it.

mersin10



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 94

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 19:12

Hi

I think we buy it from starling alsancak 250grm .

definitely at turkish delight shop in girne,I think its called mr yummy .but might be wrong.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 19:15

All the supermarkets stock it dried and ready for use.

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 19:45

thanks all of you, especially Pugwash (who obviously does not mind that I am blonde!)



I got mine in Girne town in a little grocers, but I will say that everywhere sells it. Just thought I ought to buy it as I might be missing out on something really special.



Will give it a go and let you know

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 21:24

Sumak is a spice that looks like dried red chillies (so try not to mix up the two) and has a lemon taste to it.



It is well known in Turkey and Arab countries.



Its used alot in salads and humus. Us Cypriots use it in a salad of onion and parsley and add it on Lamb Shish in Pitta Bread. Try rubbing it into chopped onions before adding the parsley. It helps release the oil and aroma of the Sumak

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 21:35

I like it sprinkled on onions as cocobutik describes.

On another note, can anyone give me a recipe for Esme? Had a look in my Cyprus cookbook but it's not in there and my son loves it so I thought we would try to make it at home.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 21:41

I stopped using it when I heard the name pronounced as "smack" !

herindoors


Joined: 13/01/2007
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 22:26

lThanks for some of the uses of this spice and where you can buy it. Will try it out

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 22:31

You can buy it in almost all markets.Ask for SUMMAK.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
17/06/2011 22:36

msg 12;

Could it be this you are looking for?

http://www.oktayustam.com/tarifler/5148-acili_ezme.html



ingredients:



3 dry onions

2 cloves garlic

4 Charleston pepper

5 red peppers

2 tomatoes

1 tablespoon k. tomato paste

1 tablespoon k. pepper sauce

1 lemon

parsley

fresh mint

crushed red pepper

olive oil

salt





Preparation:



Onion, pepper, red pepper, tomato, and garlic pepper and very little equipment as kesin.Tüm

Stir in tomato paste bring all the materials parçalayıcıdan spend mashing consistency.

...add lemon and olive oil as you serve.google wouldn't translate that bit.

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
18/06/2011 12:03

Wow Yorgo - you obviously know how to look after yourself.



Many thanks for that. Do you by any chance sell free-range eggs on your smallholding? (hen's)

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
18/06/2011 20:53

Yorgozlu

Thanks for the recipe - will give it a try soon.

Eileen

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
18/06/2011 22:15

suehowlittle;

One can't help but love cooking after all those years in the trade.



No,I don't have any hens(my wife doesn't like them),only ducks,geese and turkeys,but my neigbour accross the field has them and charges 5tl per dozen.