Sunday, April 30, 2017

Za'atar Manakish/Manakish Zaatar/Lebanese Spiced Pita Bread

Zaatar Manakish or Manakish Zaatar is a traditional Lebanese spiced flatbread which is pronounced as Manaqish, manaeesh or manakeesh. This popular Levantine bread is also prepared with several toppings from cheese to meat. The most known topping is Zaatar, this spice mixture contains sesame seeds, salt, dried thyme and sumac. Sumac is a spice made from red berries which is grounded into powder. This gives a subtle flavor and its very much used in middle eastern cooking. I love this Zaatar spice powder, i tasted this spice powder mixed with olive oil for first time at one of Moroccan friend, she served this spice mix with her bread and i loved it to the core. But personally i never used this spice mixture in my cooking. Finally i got a packet of this Zaatar few days back and the first recipe came to my mind is this Manakish. Back home, i couldnt resist to prepare this super aromatic flatbread.

Lebanese Zaatar Manakish
Manakish is a symbol of Lebanese street food. In Lebanese its is called as Manu'oushe b Zaatar. This flat bread consists of a dough which is pressed flat and topped with a mixture of Zaatar mixed with olive oil, which is then baked in a brick oven. You can see this fantastic aromatic bread literally everywhere in Lebanon as this bread can be carried and eaten on the go. My today's post is the final post this month's blogging marathon, yes this Lebanese flat bread is my 26th post of this month. Thank god, i finished this megamarathon without any hassle. If you are following my space, you might have noticed that am running this month's blogging marathon with A-Z Baking around the world as theme. Hence am posting this Zaatar Manakish for today's post.

Manakish Zaatar

1tbsp Active dry yeast
1tsp Sugar
1cup Luke warm water
2+1/2cups All-purpose flour
2tbsp Olive oil
1/2tsp Salt
3tbsp Zaatar spice mix
2tbsp Olive oil

Take 1/4 cup of water in a bowl,add sugar and yeast and give it a stir. Set it aside for 10 minutes.

Sift together flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add olive oil, yeast mixture and the remaining water.

Mix it well using a spoon until everything combines together.

Dust the counter with some extra flour and transfer the dough to the counter. Knead the dough for a while until it turns soft and shiny.

Make a ball of the dough. Coat a large bowl with a teaspoon of olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl.

Coat the dough with oil on all sides. Keep covered with a damp cloth and place the bowl in a  warm place until double in size.

Punch down the dough and release the air and knead it roughly.

Zaatar Manakish, Lebanese Flatbread

Divide the dough into four portions. Line up your baking tray with baking sheet. Flatten up one portion of the dough into a slightly thin circles.

Mix the zaatar spice mix, olive oil in a bowl. Spread this mix over the flattened dough.

Bake in pre-heated oven at 220 degree C for about 10 to 15 minutes until the top is golden brown.

Remove from oven, place it on wire rack.

Slice and enjoy.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 75

12 comments:

GG said... Reply To This Comment

I am IN LOVE with your blogs and your recipes! Both are elegant but simple styles.

Thank You for your site - don't change your style - it's wonderful! Too many food blogs are "all about the author" and "a little about the food". You bring a perfect balance to both!

GG - USA

p.s. I just made your Eggless Butterless Pineapple Muffins. I topped them with a Ginger Glaze - they are lovely little desserts - delightful. gg

Sowmya :) said... Reply To This Comment

The zaatar flatbread looks fantastic! Love the flavour of it...bookmarking this for munching purposes!

Srividhya said... Reply To This Comment

Same pinch Priya... The spice mix was great naa...

cookingwithsapana said... Reply To This Comment

Zaatar spice pita bread looks sinful. No need for any side, I can have them as such.

vaishali sabnani said... Reply To This Comment

Zafar is a lovely middle eastern flavor , a bread with it , is making me drool . Fantastic choice and perfect finale to the marathon .

Harini R said... Reply To This Comment

Lovely flavored bread there, Priya. You rocked this month with all the bakes just as normal!!

Pavani said... Reply To This Comment

That is one awesome looking flatbread with zatar. It looks and sounds delicious.

Namratha said... Reply To This Comment

Wow that looks flavorful! I haven't tried Zatar though I've read a lot about it.

Srivalli said... Reply To This Comment

This is so lovely Priya, and what a finish you gave!..I enjoyed this run so much with so many bakes bookmarked...You have done a fabulous job as always!

Sandhya Ramakrishnan said... Reply To This Comment

I bought a big bag of Zaatar to bake this but chose something else for the alphabet! I love the flavors in the bread and would be abking some soon.

Sharmila kingsly said... Reply To This Comment

Love Zaatar flavoured breads.. Looks beautiful :)

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

yes Zaatar is the spice of the day. Lovely!!