Discover the Flavorful World of Dukkah: An Authentic Egyptian Spice Blend
Dukkah, sometimes spelled as duqqa, is a traditional Egyptian blend of seeds and spices that adds a delightful crunch and flavor to various dishes. This recipe stays true to its roots, featuring a harmonious mix of sesame seeds, peanuts, cumin, and coriander.
Updated: September 3, 2024
Why This Recipe Works
Toasting the seeds and nuts enhances their flavors significantly. You can prepare this dukkah using either a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder for convenience.
Dukkah is versatile; it comes in numerous variations across the Middle East. While there are countless combinations of nuts, seeds, spices, and herbs available in different recipes, this particular version closely resembles those found in Egypt—the birthplace of dukkah. It combines roasted sesame seeds with crushed peanuts along with cumin and coriander seed for an aromatic experience that’s perfectly balanced with salt.
This spice blend can elevate your culinary creations in endless ways—sprinkle it over soups or roasted vegetables; use it as a topping for fish or meat dishes; mix it with olive oil for an easy dip; the possibilities are limitless! You can adjust the grind size according to your preference—some enjoy a coarser texture while others prefer it finer—but it’s uncommon to find dukkah ground into a fine powder.
Dukkah Recipe (Middle Eastern Nut & Spice Blend)
Ingredients: - 1 tablespoon (10 g) whole cumin seeds
- 3 tablespoons (15 g) whole coriander seeds
- 2 heaping tablespoons (30 g) roasted skinned peanuts
- 1/4 cup (30 g) roasted sesame seeds
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a small dry skillet made from stainless steel, carbon steel or cast iron over medium heat, toast the cumin seeds while stirring frequently until they become fragrant.
- Transfer the toasted cumin into a mortar and pestle or electric spice grinder and grind them into a coarse powder before placing them into a mixing bowl.
- Repeat this process with the coriander seeds.
- Next, add the peanuts to your mortar/pestle or grinder and crush them until they reach your desired coarseness before adding them to your bowl.
- If you prefer whole sesame seeds for added texture you may skip grinding them; otherwise crush them similarly before combining all ingredients together in one bowl.
- Season generously with salt according to taste.
Special Equipment Needed:
- Small mortar & pestle or electric spice grinder
Make-Ahead Tips & Storage:
Store any leftover dukkah in an airtight container at room temperature where it will remain fresh for up to two weeks—though keep in mind that its flavor may diminish over time due to exposure air which affects both spices’ potency as well as nut freshness.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Servings: Approximately 5–6
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 130mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | <1g |
| Protein | 3g |
Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamin C: 1mg (3% DV)
- Calcium: 83mg (6% DV)
- Iron: 2mg (13% DV)
- Potassium: 116mg (2% DV)
(Note: The % Daily Value (%DV) indicates how much each nutrient contributes towards daily dietary needs based on consuming around 2000 calories per day.)*
Enjoy exploring new culinary horizons by incorporating this delicious Egyptian dukkah into your meals!