Sumac?

[perk]

I have a recipe that calls for sumac. Don't remember seeing it anywhere. Anyone know where I can buy it in L.A.?

[DrBruin]

Most Persian markets will sell it.

[perk]

Thanks. I live in Westwood....so I'll look for a market around here.

[DrBruin]

No worries. I'll be surprised if you can't find a Persian market, especially around Westwood given the large number of delicious Persian restaurants in the area.

However, if you can't, you have two other options, one is to go to Penzey's Spices... They have a location in Santa Monica.... or, if you're in Torrance, they have one here too... and it's not far from a Persian market (address below).

Shayan
3801 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance, CA 90505

[perk]

Thanks. I've wanted to check out Penzey's anyway....but I did find a listing for a Persian market called Super Sun on Westwood Blvd. Lots of good reviews....and evidently a very good source for Persian ice cream. I've never tried it, but lots of raves!

[happybaker]

Perk - I LOVE Penzeys but - go to the Persian market. You will have tons of fun!

Pick up the sumac, then also grab some zatar - and then see what else looks interesting! (Oh and grab some pita bread, it'll be dirt cheap and fresh,.)

Then when you do go to Penzey's - buy the natural cocoa. It's amazing.

[rainey]

Then you're not really that far from Penzey's on 4th in Santa Monica. Whole Foods would also be a good place to look if you don't know of a Persian market. It will be one of those small green boxes of herbs that are not in the actual baking/spices area.

[rezpeni]

I recommend the Spice Station they have locations in Silverlake and Santa Monica, I see on their website they have two kinds of sumac from Syria and Turkey. The quality of their spices I find is far better than the local ethnic markets.

http://spicestationsilverlake.com/

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Spice Station
3205 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[perk]

Thanks!

[rainey]

Wow! What a great resource to know about! They have lots of things that Penzey's doesn't like the Indian spices.

I will be watching for when the settle into their new SM location.

[Emme]

Elat Market at Pico and Robertson carries it.
So does Glatt Market on Pico just east of Beverly Dr.

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Elat Market
8730 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[mrshankly]

Make sure to check that the sumac you are getting is not mixed with salt. Some prepackaged sumac is sold mixed with salt as a seasoning "bonus". This is good for table sumac during meals but may not be suitable for your recipe.

[perk]

Thanks. Good to know.

[foufou]

do you mind sharing recipe? I bought sumac from Penzey's and have yet to use it.

[perk]

I was talking to a friend about a recipe from a recent Food & Wine...flank steak with a bloody mary tomato salad. She'd made it and loved it, but said the recipe called for sumac and she didn't have any. I just looked at the recipe, and there's no mention of sumac. So...she must be thinking of another recipe. I'll call her....and post if she figures out what recipe she meant. Oh my....more senior moments.......

[foufou]

thank you...flank steak recipe sounds good even though it doesn't have "sumac"

[perk]

She told me that it must have been one of the side dishes/salads that went with the flank steak. I haven't found the issue yet....but I know I have it here somewhere!
But according to epircurious, it's the July issue of Bon Appetit.

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Bon Appetit
1801 Century Park E Ste 330, Los Angeles, CA 90067

[perk]

Ok....found it! In the July issue of Bon Appetit....there is a group of recipes under the heading of Fourth of July Picnic. It's a sugar snap salad.

[foufou]

great...thank you! I have that issue and will try that recipe this week.

[JBC]

I also bought some Sumac over the weekend for the first time in Westwood. I had no intention of buying it at Whole Foods but checked it out first out of curiosity as spices sold in your average supermarket have outrageously high markups/prices.

Whole Foods on Gayley in Westwood Village - $2.99 for 4 "tenths" of an ounce.

Jordon Market - 1449 Westwood Blvd. (3 1/2 blocks south of Wilshire) - $1.99 for 4 ounces (& $4.99 for 12 1/2 ounces).

That means to buy 4 ounces at Whole Foods it would cost you $29.90; or, to put it another way, it is "15" TIMES more expensive at WF !!

[happybaker]

And that's why I used to always buy my spices at Elat : )

[trojans]

Slice some onion, thinly and toss with sumac. You can use this to eat pieces of steak with some lavash.

Take some basmati rice and mix in a grilled whole tomato mix in sumac and some Sadaf brand pickled mango eat with kabon or steak. It's fantastic.

Sumac doesn't spoil a dish by adding too much have a free hand and enjoy.

[mrshankly]

I concur with this recommendation... delicious!!! I also mix in some plain yogurt and basil/mint/green onions in place of the mango. You can truly never use enough sumac. I also use it with salt, pepper, and lemon juice on diced tomatoes and cucumbers as a salad or relish for kabob wraps.