Za'atar in spice jars

I hoard spices. I do. Every so often, I set out to make spice mixes. Recently, I picked up Bryant Terry's new cookbook: Afro-Vegan. The cookbook is awesome. I've already bookmarked many recipes. This is an example of one of six dry spice blends featured in the book. Earlier this week, I took out my big box of spices and set out to make za'atar and blackened seasoning. Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend of thyme, oregano, and sumac. The sumac gives it tang. Terry's book is loaded with many song recommendations; they accompany the title on each page. After reading through Afro-Vegan,  I went and found the playlist on Spotify. Then, I hit play, and got to work. 

With Mother's Day coming up, I thought this would make a nice gift for mom (or a great Father's Day gift, or really - any occasion). I repurposed some old spice jars, and used a stamp and paper to make labels. The labels are just strips of nicer paper cut to about 1.75" (4.5 cm) wide by 5.5" (14 cm) long. I hoard stamps too, and liked this "Destination" stamp as a label for the contents and the date. I wrote the ingredients on the side. Once the labels are ready, I affixed the labels to the jar with clear packaging tape. 

I like to use za'atar on pita bread. Coat the pita bread with a bit of olive oil and salt. Sprinkle on the za'atar and toast until just barely crispy. In high school, I used to baby sit and tutor for a Lebanese family. They always served me this in the mornings. I can still remember getting a steamy thick small coffee and pita bread with za'atar. In the past, I've used za'atar in spinach veggie burgers, on roasted potatoes, over a sunny-side up egg, and for tofu kebab skewers. 

Za'atar

Recipe from Bryant Terry's Afro-Vegan cookbook.

Yield: about 4.5 oz, or enough to fill up 2 spice jars

Ingredients:

3 tbsp dried thyme

2 tbsp dried oregano

1 tbsp sumac

1 tsp cumin seeds, ground

1 tbsp sesame seeds (I used a mixture of black and white seeds)

ground black pepper

Directions:

Toast the cumin and sesame seeds. Once hot add them to a bowl and let them cool off slightly. To the same bowl add all of the herbs and black pepper. Grind them in a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle. Store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight, or refrigerate.  

Jewelry Cork Boards

Somehow, my favorite jewelry pieces always end up getting tucked into drawers. Necklaces come up  intertwined and tangled, a single earring when I need the pair. I wanted a quick way to store jewelry, but also show it off so I could remember what pieces I had. The other day I was perusing Michael's on  a Friday evening when I saw cork boards (yes, you read that right - sigh - Michael's Craft Store on a Friday evening). I was trying to find frames, and instead came up with an idea for turning the cork boards into lovely jewelry holders. 

I picked up a set of cork boards that are advertised for dorm rooms, a few frame holders, and a box of clear tacks. The idea is to set the cork boards on the frame holders, place tacks on the board randomly, and hang jewelry from the tacks. When I came home, I realized that the cork boards were a bit messy. They flake very easily leaving cork dust everywhere. I had some Modge Podge and foam brushes at home, and I used the Modge Podge as a seal for the edges. The cork boards I picked up were 12" by 12." Find wide frame holders with a tall back. This way, they won't tip over when you set all your jewelry on top. Since I was really feeling the creative streak, I repurposed beer bomber bottles into bangle holders. This project costs about $20.00 for all the items. However, it may be a bit more expensive if you need to find yourself some beer bombers. But then you have the best craft night ever. (craft + beer = duh). 

Jewelry Cork Boards

Yield: 2 boards, or as many as you like

Items needed:

2 cork boards 

2 frame holders

50 clear tacks

Modge Podge

a foam brush

Directions:

1. Lay out some old paper on a table. The cork boards tend to shed everywhere, so I like to brush off the edges and seal them with Modge Podge to keep them from shedding on my dresser. 

2. Next set each board on the frame holder. Dip a foam brush in some Modge Podge and place a layer along the edges of the cork board. This will seal the edges and prevent the board from crumbling excessively. Leave the cork boards on the frames to dry. I did 3 sides, let them dry for a day, then finished the last side. They dry easily when they are mounted on the frame holders.  

3. Once dry, lay the cork boards flat and arrange the tacks all around the board. Place the cork boards on the frame, and start displaying your favorite jewelry. 

Food labels

No, not those kind of food labels: useful, straightforward ones - where the label actually tells you the ingredient, helps to organize the pantry, and makes clever use out of old cards that I can't seem to part with. Yes, those crafty cute food labels.

Did you ever read my bean queen post? If so, you'll know that I learned the art of pantry organization from my mother. She never resists to tell me how the space in the pantry could be better utilized if we got rid of our two shelves of our make-believe beer cellar.

These labels are made from stamps on paper, which are then glued (using ModgePodge) onto old birthday, postcards, wedding, and holiday cards. They are then taped onto glass and plastic jars. So far, so good. Clear lids are the best because I get a glimpse of handwritten notes on the back.


Traced out lids onto paper, then stamped.


Block letter stamps. I bought these from a MUJI store in Cologne.


Take an inventory of all your pantry goods. You'll forget at least two.


Artsy, craftsy. If I may (borrow from you Sara), no one was hurt in the making of this.








My attempt at "artsy" and "crafty" food shot. Fail.


Here is a majority of the finished labels. I luffs them.


Reusing/repurposing glass jars.