Get ready to transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Lebanon with this mouthwatering Manakish Zaatar Bread recipe! Imagine a warm, freshly baked flatbread topped with aromatic zaatar spices that will make your kitchen smell like a traditional Lebanese bakery. This simple yet incredibly flavorful dish is about to become your new obsession - a perfect blend of crispy texture, fragrant herbs, and olive oil that will elevate your breakfast or snack time to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Lebanese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup zaatar spice mix
- 1/4 cup additional olive oil for topping
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar. Mix well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a separate small bowl, dissolve the instant yeast in the warm water. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
- Pour the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup of olive oil into the bowl with the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough begins to form.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 15-20 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the zaatar topping. In a small bowl, mix the zaatar spice mix with the additional 1/4 cup of olive oil until it forms a paste. Set aside.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up as well.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a flat circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the rolled dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or onto the preheated pizza stone.
- Spread a generous amount of the zaatar mixture evenly over the surface of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the zaatar topping is fragrant.
- Once baked, remove the manakish from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm, either as a snack or as part of a meal. Enjoy your delicious Lebanese zaatar bread!
Tips
- Use warm (not hot) water when activating the yeast to ensure proper rising and prevent killing the yeast.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free, warm area for the best texture and volume.
- For an authentic touch, invest in high-quality zaatar spice mix from a Middle Eastern grocery store.
- If you don't have a pizza stone, a regular baking sheet works fine - just preheat it in the oven.
- Don't overwork the dough when kneading - stop when it becomes smooth and elastic.
- For extra flavor, brush the edges with additional olive oil before baking for a golden, crispy crust.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, as Manakish is best enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
