Manakish Lebanese Zaatar Bread Food

MANAKISH ZAATAR (TRADITIONAL LEBANESE SPICED PITA BREAD)

Steps:

• To begin making the Manakish Zaatar, you can begin by preparing Zaatar at home, if you do not have it on hand. Mix all the ingredients listed under "Or To Make Your Own Zaatar" together and shake well to combine. Your home made zaatar spice mix is ready. Store in air tight container and use as and when required.
• To begin making the Manakish, first add yeast and sugar in a small mixing bowl and pour luke warm water over it. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes until the yeast starts bubbling. If the yeast doesn't react discard it and start another batch.
• In another mixing bowl, add flour, salt, olive oil and mix with your fingers. Make a well in the center and pour in the bubbly/frothy yeast mixture. Mix well. Add water only if required and bring it together into a scraggy dough where the ingredients are holding together in a rough mix.
• Clean your counter surface thoroughly, dust with flour and transfer the dough onto the counter. Knead until you get smooth, soft dough that is pliable.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, rub olive oil all over and cover it with a damp cloth. Set it aside for abour 1.5 hours or until it has risen and has doubled in size.
• Knock down the dough (punch it with your fist), this is done to release all the air that would have collected. Gently knead for another 2 minutes.
• At this stage, preheat the oven at 180 degrees C.
• Divide dough into equal sized balls, depending on the size of Manakish you want to make. Place it on a greased surface and cover and let it rise a second time for another 15 minutes.
• Now, working with one portion of dough at a time, flatten it into a disc like a pizza base, about ¼ inch thick. Punch small holes on the dough like dimples. Sprinkle zaatar spice mix on top. Press gently so the spice mix sticks to the base.
• Place the prepared manakish one at a time on a baking sheet and bake in pre heated over at 170 degrees C for about 8 to 10 minutes each, once you see the base turning slightly brown.
• Serve Manakish Zaatar as breakfast or as a party appetiser along with Tzatziki or Hummus too. It makes a good addition to a Lebanese or Middle Eastern lunch or dinner.

MANAKISH (LEBANESE ZA'ATAR BREAD)

Steps:

• Mix sugar and active dry yeast into a cup of warm water. Allow the yeast to activate until frothy. This can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. (Tip: If the water does not froth it could be due to the yeast being expired, or the water is either too hot or too cold.)
• Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. When the yeast is frothy, add it to the same bowl, along with the olive oil.
• Stir to combine the ingredients and then knead the dough for at least 5 minutes. You may use a stand mixer with a hook attachment if you prefer.
• When the dough is smooth and elastic, form it into a ball and place it inside a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise for 1-½ hours in a warm location.
• Punch down the dough and knead for a few additional minutes. Divide the dough in half and then each half into thirds. Form each portion into a ball and place it on a floured surface or baking sheet. Cover the dough and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
• Prepare the Za'atar from scratch or use a pre-made blend. Mix the Za'atar with olive oil.
• On a floured surface, form each portion into a circle about the same size as pita bread. Flatten the circle with your hand, or use a rolling pin. Use your fingers to make indentations into the top of the dough (similar to Focaccia bread).Tip: This step will not only help spread the dough but allow the zaatar paste to fill the indentations and stick to the dough.
• Transfer onto a pizza stone or lightly oiled pan. Add a few tablespoons of the Za'atar paste onto each flatbread, leaving an inch border all around.
• Bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown along the edges. Serve with Lebneh, Hummus, or cheese and olives.

MANAKEESH BIL ZA'ATAR (FLAT BREAD WITH ZA'ATAR)

Steps:

• To make the dough, sift the flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the centre and add in the water and knead till the dough has come together leaving the sides of the bowl clean.
• Transfer onto a clean work surface and knead for about 10 minutes till the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Lightly grease the bowl and transfer the dough into the bowl and cover with cling film and leave it in a warm place till it has doubled in bulk, for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 7/425F/220°C.
• Put 2 large oiled baking sheets in the oven to heat.
• Knock the air out of the dough and knead again for about 2 minutes.
• Divide into 8 portions and roll each ball between your palms until smooth and round.
• Flour the work surface and flatten each round with a rolling pin until it is circular, even, and about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for 20 more minutes.
• Brush the tops of the discs with a little olive oil.
• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the zaatar spice mix and add in the remaining oil and give it a good mix.
• Spread the oil-zaatar mixture over the surface of each bread.
• Slide the bread onto the hot baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot.