What each one is, where to find it in Venezuela and Latin America, and what to use if you can't find it. In Venezuela, almost all of them are sold at Arabic grocery stores (abastos árabes).
Tahini
sesame paste
A creamy paste of ground sesame seeds. It is the base of hummus, baba ganoush and tarator sauce.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic or Middle Eastern grocery stores and in supermarkets with imported products; also online. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- You can make it at home by blending toasted sesame seeds with a little neutral oil until creamy.
- I use it in
- Hummus, Baba ganoush, Falafel
Za'atar
zatar
A spice blend with sesame seeds, sumac, oregano, thyme, cumin, black pepper and salt, among other things. Mixed with olive oil, it is spread on dough or served with labneh.
- Where to buy
- Arabic grocery stores sell it ready-made. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- A homemade mix of dried oregano, toasted sesame, sumac (or lemon zest) and salt comes close.
- I use it in
- Lahm bi ajeen, Labneh
Bulgur
cracked wheat
Cracked, par-cooked wheat. The fine grade (#1) is used in tabbouleh and kibbeh dough; it only needs soaking, draining and squeezing.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores and some supermarkets, in the grains aisle. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- For tabbouleh, fine couscous or cooked quinoa can work, though the result changes. For kibbeh there is no substitute.
- I use it in
- Tabbouleh, Kibbeh labanieh
Sumac
A ground, reddish spice with a tangy, fruity flavor. It gives fattoush dressing its character.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores and spice shops. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- A little lemon zest and juice add acidity, though not quite the same flavor.
- I use it in
- Fattoush
Pomegranate molasses
pomegranate syrup
A thick, sweet-and-sour syrup made from reduced pomegranate juice. I use it in muhammara, fattoush and the sweet-and-sour topping for Arabic pizzas.
- Where to buy
- Sold at Arabic grocery stores. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- For Arabic pizzas, tamarind sauce works just as well. You can also simmer pomegranate juice until it thickens.
- I use it in
- Muhammara, Fattoush, Lahm bi ajeen
Lemon salt
citric acid
Citric acid crystals that add sourness without adding liquid.
- Where to buy
- Available at Arabic grocery stores. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- Lemon juice: in several of my recipes I list it as the alternative.
- I use it in
- Hummus, Baba ganoush, Tabbouleh, Muhammara, Malfuf, Stuffed grape leaves
Allspice
Arabic pepper
An aromatic spice widely used in Arabic cooking, in meat fillings and in falafel.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores and in the spice aisle of many supermarkets. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- A pinch of cinnamon with clove and nutmeg comes close to the aroma.
- I use it in
- Malfuf, Stuffed grape leaves, Falafel, Parsley fritters, Lahm bi ajeen
Seven-spice blend
baharat
An Arabic blend of several ground spices used with meats and in falafel.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores, ready-mixed. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- Allspice on its own is the closest alternative.
- I use it in
- Falafel, Lahm bi ajeen
Orange blossom water
Water scented with orange blossoms. It perfumes Arabic sweets and syrup.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores and some baking-supply shops; any brand works. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- A few drops of vanilla or some orange zest, though the aroma changes.
- I use it in
- Atayef
Semolina
Durum wheat ground into fine grains. It is the base of mamunie and gives texture to the cream filling and batter of atayef.
- Where to buy
- In supermarkets and Arabic grocery stores. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- Cream of wheat is the closest match.
- I use it in
- Mamunie, Atayef
Grape leaves
vine leaves
Tender vine leaves for stuffed rolls. I use fresh leaves straight from the vine.
- Where to buy
- Supermarkets and Arabic grocery stores sell them in jars, from different brands. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- Cabbage leaves, as in my stuffed cabbage rolls.
- I use it in
- Stuffed grape leaves, Malfuf
Dried mint
Dried mint. It scents the yogurt soup, stuffed rolls, Arabic pizzas and parsley fritters.
- Where to buy
- At Arabic grocery stores and in the spice aisle. Buy on Amazon
- If you can't find it
- Fresh mint: in my recipes I use about 25 to 30 g of fresh mint for each tablespoon of dried.
- I use it in
- Kibbeh labanieh, Malfuf, Stuffed grape leaves, Lahm bi ajeen, Parsley fritters