Know Your Ingredients
Before the recipes, there are the ingredients. These are the flavors that define Palestinian and Levantine cooking — the spices, staples, and foundations that show up again and again on every table, in every kitchen, across generations.
Khubz - خبز
About
Bread is utensil, vessel, and centerpiece: pita, taboon, shrak, and other flatbreads carry the meal.
Bread is utensil, vessel, and centerpiece: pita, taboon, shrak, and other flatbreads carry the meal.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Hail - هيل
About
Ground or cracked cardamom pods perfume Arabic coffee, tea, broths, rice dishes, spice blends, and desserts.
Ground or cracked cardamom pods perfume Arabic coffee, tea, broths, rice dishes, spice blends, and desserts.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Jibneh - جبنة
About
Nabulsi, halloumi, and other cheeses appear at breakfast and in desserts like knafeh and katayif.
Nabulsi, halloumi, and other cheeses appear at breakfast and in desserts like knafeh and katayif.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Qirfa - قرفة
About
Cinnamon adds warmth to meat-and-rice dishes, drinks, and desserts across Palestinian cooking.
Cinnamon adds warmth to meat-and-rice dishes, drinks, and desserts across Palestinian cooking.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Kammoun - كمون
About
Cumin gives earthy warmth to stews, dips, legumes, and grilled meats.
Cumin gives earthy warmth to stews, dips, legumes, and grilled meats.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
A'shab - أعشاب
About
Mint, parsley, dill, and other herbs are used generously in salads, stuffings, teas, and dips.
Mint, parsley, dill, and other herbs are used generously in salads, stuffings, teas, and dips.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Hubub - حبوب
About
Rice, bulgur, freekeh, and wheat products form the base of everyday and celebratory dishes.
Rice, bulgur, freekeh, and wheat products form the base of everyday and celebratory dishes.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Buqoul - بقول
About
Chickpeas, fava beans, and lentils anchor many plant-forward Palestinian dishes.
Chickpeas, fava beans, and lentils anchor many plant-forward Palestinian dishes.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Lahem & Samak - لحم وسمك
About
Lamb, chicken, and fish appear in grilled dishes, slow stews, rice dishes, and coastal traditions.
Lamb, chicken, and fish appear in grilled dishes, slow stews, rice dishes, and coastal traditions.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Mukassarat - مكسرات
About
Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts bring richness and texture to sweets, rice dishes, and celebratory platters.
Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts bring richness and texture to sweets, rice dishes, and celebratory platters.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Zeit - زيت
About
Olive oil is the heart of the Palestinian kitchen, used for cooking, dressing, preserving, and finishing.
Olive oil is the heart of the Palestinian kitchen, used for cooking, dressing, preserving, and finishing.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Dibs al-Rumman - دبس الرمان
About
A thick reduced pomegranate syrup that brings sweet, sour, and deep fruit complexity to salads and marinades.
A thick reduced pomegranate syrup that brings sweet, sour, and deep fruit complexity to salads and marinades.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Summaq - سماق
About
A crimson berry powder with a tart, lemony flavor and one of the defining tastes of Palestinian cooking.
A crimson berry powder with a tart, lemony flavor and one of the defining tastes of Palestinian cooking.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Tahini - طحينة
About
A smooth sesame paste used as a base for hummus, sauces, dressings, and table condiments.
A smooth sesame paste used as a base for hummus, sauces, dressings, and table condiments.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Laban & Labneh - لبن ولبنة
About
Laban, labneh, and fermented yogurt products are eaten fresh and cooked into sauces and stews.
Laban, labneh, and fermented yogurt products are eaten fresh and cooked into sauces and stews.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.
Commonly Used In
Za'atar - زعتر
About
A blend of thyme, sumac, sesame, and salt, eaten with olive oil and bread and used across the breakfast table.
A blend of thyme, sumac, sesame, and salt, eaten with olive oil and bread and used across the breakfast table.
This pantry entry is part of the Sumac Files ingredient archive, designed to help readers understand not only what the ingredient is, but where it appears in the cuisine and how to shop for it with confidence.