Sumac-middle eastern spice, can't track it down apart from on line...........

[DarrellRivers]

And I am desparate to cook a recipe tonight, are there any substitutes which might just cut it?
It's to use with lamb mince and sesame seeds, on a tomato, red onion and harissa flavoured yoghurt salad
Otherwise will post pone recipe until can get sumac on line

do you want me to send you some from a local turkish shop? doesn't solve your problem tonight though. it's kind of lemony.

Ahh you see, I miss London for that.
We have good Indian and Thai/Chinese spice grocers but no Turkish/Persian
I have found an on-line shop called the Spice specialist who don't charge shipping, so I will order some sumac plus some nigella seeds from them, but thanks for the kind offer.
Do you think if I cooked the mince with lemon juice it wwould be the same

hmmm, you could put the lemon juice on at the end. not sure though. hang on, will consult my claudia roden book.

ok, claudia says it has an astringent sour flavour & it can be used instead of lemon. so you should be ok.

oh thankyou, you're a star
have also ordered stocks in which should arrive by post next week, so am ready for the next flurry of cooking
I love middle eastern food
have a lovely weekend

hooray. your recipe sounds delicious. i love middle eastern food too. we have fab turkish restaurants round here so we're indoctrinating the children .
hope you have a good weekend too.