Spruce up your spice rack for the New Year with sumac, za’atar, and Aleppo pepper.  Ever heard of these spices? These Middle Eastern spices are becoming increasingly popular and widely available in grocery stores across America. Although they have always been present in traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, look for them incorporated in new ways into recipes and on restaurant menus in 2014.

Sumac comes in a ground powder and adds a lemony flavor to dishes.  Za’atar is a spice blend of thyme, toasted sesame seeds, sea salt and sumac. Aleppo pepper, a sweet and sharp chile from the Aleppo region of southern Turkey, offers a very robust flavor with cumin-like undertones and a hint of saltiness.  By adding new and unique flavors to simple dishes such as roasted vegetables, and grilled chicken or fish, you can enhance the taste without additional calories.  Middle Eastern dishes are not your only options with these types of spices because their one of a kind flavors are surprisingly versatile. Using them in classic meals, such as ground turkey for tacos, may change the flavor in an unexpected way to satisfy your hunger with fewer calories and more taste!

Special thanks to Maggie Michalczyk, my nutrition intern, for writing the copy for this guest blog post.

Try substituting Aleppo pepper for the turmeric in my Fire-Roasted Turmeric Eggplant Bake and surprise your taste buds by starting this year on a flavorful note.

What to do: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Dice a medium eggplant and add three cloves of minced garlic, a small chopped shallots and place into an oven-safe baking dish; toss with two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, a tablespoon of smoked paprika, a teaspoon of turmeric (or Aleppo pepper), and pinch of salt.  Bake for 20 minutes and stir; place back in the oven, check and toss every 20 minutes until eggplant browns and softens – about 45 minutes total.

Nutrition Information: Calories 198, Carbohydrates 18 g, Total Fat 14 grams, Saturated Fat 2 grams, Protein 3 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 19 mg, Sugar 7 grams

Let us know what new spices you try today. Evolve your eating in 2014!

-VSR