Last Updated on June 3, 2015 by Chef Mireille
I hope you have enjoyed this A-Z marathon as much as I have had making all of these wonderful treats. Besides Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, the Malabar Coast, Rajasthan & Punjab, I have virtually taken you around the world from the streets of Managua (Nicaragua) & Oslo (Norway) to Greece, Senegal & Wales and I am ending the tour with a visit today to Lebanon.
Don’t forget to check out the rundown of the A-Z challenge at the end of this post!
Za’atar Bread, also known as Manakish in Lebanon, is popular throughout the Middle East. This pita like bread topped with olive oil and za’atar, the ubiquitous Middle Eastern spice blend of thyme, oregano, sumac and sesame seeds is sold as Za’atar Pitza in many Middle Eastern restaurants in the US. It’s also a popular street food item throughout the Middle East.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water (110-115 F)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
- 3 cups all purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Topping Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup Za’atar spice blend
- feta or mannouri cheese (optional)
Combine water and sugar in bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let stand for about 10 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, combine flour, and salt. Add olive oil and mix in with your fingers.
Add yeast and mix to form a soft dough.
The dough will seem dry at first, but don’t be tempted to add more water. After about 5 minutes of kneading, the dough will come together.
Knead for another 5 minutes, until dough is soft and pliable.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let rise for 45 minutes to an hour, until doubled in size.
Knead dough a little and divide into 8 balls. Place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 F.
On a lightly floured board, roll out each ball to a 7 inch circle, about 1/8″ thick.
Leave a border around the perimeter, like a pizza.
Spread 1 tablespoon of the Za’atar olive oil mixture on top. Place on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until browned.
Enjoy warm as is or to top it with a little crumbled cheese.
Although usually eaten on its own, I like sprinkling semi-dry cheese like feta or mannouri on top.
A – Almond Zucchini Muffins
B – Bubble & Squeak
C – Caakiri
D – Damper Bread
E – Empire, Fuji, Gala…all about Apples
F – Fiorentini
G – Garifuna Cassava Bread
H – Horchata
I – Imli Aloo (Bangaladumpa Pulusu)
J – Jaisalmer Chana
K – Kourambiedes (Greek Almond Cookies
L – Lefse (Norwegian Potato Flatbread)
M – Malabar Stuffed Plantains (Pazham Nirachathu)
N – Nigella Seed (Kalonji) Dal
O – Oatmeal Bread
P- Parsley Pinwheel Paratha
Q – Quince Paste (Membrillo)
R – Rambutan & Other Asian Fruits
S – Spiced Savory Sables
T – Til Gajak (Sesame Seed Brittle)
U – Ube Doughnuts
V – Vyborg Pretzels
W – Welsh Bara Brith
X – Xanthan Gum Gluten Free Pizza
Y – Yuca Donuts
Logo courtesy : Preeti
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 32
…linking to Kalyani’s Global Food Festival & Bake Fest hosted by Palachinka
LIKE THIS RECIPE? LEAVE A COMMENT..I LIVE FOR THEM!
Chef Mireille
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Zaatar bread is really new to me and looks super yummy dear 馃檪 hats off to you for making such innovative and different recipes 馃檪 enjoyed your A-Z recipes thoroughly 馃檪
Have tasted this bread long back, seriously i want make some soon..Very tempting bread.
Though I have tasted Zaatar on a pizza and loved it, I am yet to use it in my own cooking..the bread looks wonderful Mir…And coming to the series..yes as always your efforts and research on every dish has been so meticulous and fantastic..As you said I have travelled to places unknown to me, all because of your work..keep it up!…
who can beat you with these lovely flavors..super marathon !! wonderful friends like you.make it more interesting!
this is new to me… looks fabulous!!
Sowmya
The Zaatar spice blend looks very delicious on the wonderful bread. Enjoyed your world cuisine trip very much.
Zaatar spice on the bread looks yummy! I really enjoyed each and every post and the. Story behind it. Great job Mirelle ..
Perfectly done… look aamzing.
I bought a jar of Za'atar from Trader Joes recently and haven't used it yet. Now I know what to do with it 馃檪 Bread looks amazing.
I have to buy the Zaatar spice soon…i have been reading few recipes and I would love to make them. This looks super cool and I love adding some feta cheese on top. Awesome job in the marathon and I loved reading through all your posts 馃檪
nice tangy looking bread, lovely idea for evening snack
I bought this bread in Sams, It tasted awesome..Sure will try your recipe soon..
Loved the whole series from you Mireille…The bread with a bit of cheese looks real nice 馃檪
Mireille loved the whole series with you. I am in love with the amazing dishes that you have showcased and thanks for most of the time suggesting substitutes. Saves me a lot of time.
Loved the series Mir, as usual very innovative and new recipes as well as very educative!
I prepared the same dish:-)….looks awesome….loved your whole series!!
I am making these tomorrow! I've made another recipe but this one is faster and I love anything with za/atar!