Manakish
Manakish is a type of Middle Eastern flatbread that is usually baked till crispy and topped with cheese, minced meat, or za'atar. It is well-liked in nations like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon and is frequently eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
15 min
Serving
6
Difficulty
Intermediate
A common Middle Eastern flatbread, manakish (or manakeesh) is frequently eaten for breakfast or as a snack. Usually, it has a variety of toppings including cheese, minced meat, or za'atar, which is a concoction of rosemary, sesame seeds, sumac, and olive oil. When topped, the soft, slightly chewy dough is cooked till golden and crispy. Many Levantine nations, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, appreciate manakish, which is frequently served with yogurt or fresh vegetables on the side. With Middle Eastern spices and toppings, it resembles pizza.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Za'atar Topping:
- 3 tbsp za'atar spice mix (a blend of thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Optional Toppings:
- Cheese (like Akkawi, mozzarella, or feta)
- Minced meat (optional, for a meat topping)
- Fresh vegetables (like tomatoes or cucumbers, for serving)
Directions
- To make Manakish, start by combining the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and olive oil, and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth, then cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough is rising, mix the za'atar spice with olive oil to create the topping.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small portions.
- Roll each portion into a flat circle on a floured surface. Spread the za'atar mixture evenly over each circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and bake the Manakish for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the bread is cooked through.
- If using cheese or minced meat, add it to the dough before baking, and serve hot with fresh vegetables or yogurt on the side.
