Arabian Manakish Recipe

Manakish is a popular Middle Eastern flatbread topped with various ingredients, commonly za'atar or cheese. It’s often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. Here’s a complete recipe for making delicious Arabian Manakish from scratch.

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

  • 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

• For Za'atar Topping:

  • 1/4 cup za'atar spice blend

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

• For Cheese Topping (optional):

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• For Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. Activate Yeast:

   • In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

2. Mix Dough Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

3. Knead the Dough:

   • Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

4. Let Dough Rise:

   • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Toppings:

1. Make Za'atar Mixture:

   • In a small bowl, mix the za'atar spice blend with olive oil to form a paste.

2. Prepare Cheese Topping:

   • If using cheese, mix the shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta in a bowl.

3. Shape and Top the Manakish:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.

2. Divide Dough:

   • Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions.

3. Roll Out Dough:

   • On a floured surface, roll out each portion into a round shape, about 1/4 inch thick.

4. Add Toppings:

   • For Za'atar Manakish: Spread a generous amount of the za'atar paste over each dough round, leaving a small border around the edges.

   • For Cheese Manakish: Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the dough.

5. Bake:

   • Transfer the prepared dough rounds to a baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.

4. Serve:

1. Cool and Garnish:

   • Remove the manakish from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack.

   • Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

2. Enjoy:

   • Serve warm. Manakish can be enjoyed on its own or with a side of olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and yogurt.

Tips:

• You can also experiment with other toppings such as cooked ground beef, mushrooms, or vegetables.

• For a crispier crust, bake the manakish on a preheated pizza stone.

Enjoy making and sharing this delicious and aromatic Arabian Manakish!