Has Anyone Used The Spice Sumac Before?

[Henrietta]

I love lemons and limes with my cooking and was watching a cookery program where they were using a middle eastern spice called sumac which was a citruslike spice and i wondered would this be a good substitute for lemons and limes or even a good standalone spice to use with meats, fish and chicken?

If you've used it could you please describe it's flavour and tell me which dishes you've used it in.

Tia!

[237SJ]

I have had it but only in a salad dressing. It`s a distinctive taste. Citrus but with a bitter edge to it. I wouldn`t use it as a substitute for lemon or lime - it`s a bit of an acquired taste. Probably an interesting spice to experiment with.

[vodkancoke]

My Dad is Egyptian and we use sumac quite a lot. He puts it through rice, lentils, adds it to mince when making koftas and it's delicious on fish and chicken. As 237SJ said, I wouldn't substitute it for lemons or limes either, it can be quite bitter.

[hammerman]

The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) bears fluffy red flowers all summer, if you lick the flower, they taste of citrus.

Anyone ever used these flowers in cooking...or even know if they can be used ?

[Henrietta]

Just found out they sell it as sainsburys so will pick some up this week to experiment so thanks guys!

[Ratty2E]

I think it's used a lot in middle eastern cooking. It goes very well in lamb dishes and i use it when making kofta/lamb burgers along with dried mint.

[Baldric]

From, The Spice House

Sumac has a tart flavor that is very nice sprinkled on fish, chicken, over salad dressings, rice pilaf, or over raw onions. Try substituting in any dish on which you might squeeze fresh lemon juice. If you enjoy hummus, try topping it with a sprinkling of sumac. It's delightful!
Sumac is considered essential for cooking in much of the Middle East; it served as the tart, acidic element in cooking prior to the introduction of lemons by the Romans. Sumac has a very nice, fruity-tart flavor which is not quite as overpowering as lemon. In addition to their very pleasant flavor, flakes from the berry are a lovely, deep red color which makes a very attractive garnish.
Sumac powder contains a pinch of salt.

[Iluvspikey]

It's a middle eastern spice - as everybody else has said - I use it in lamb tagines and kebabs, fish and chicken, dhal's rice and cous-cous