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Manakish with Cheese and Za’atar Recipe

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3.9 from 3 reviews

Manakish is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread topped with flavorful za’atar spice blend or a rich cheese mixture. This recipe features a soft, thin dough baked to golden perfection and topped with either aromatic za’atar and olive oil or a blend of fresh mozzarella, feta cheese, and nigella seeds. Perfect as a breakfast item, snack, or light meal, these flatbreads pair beautifully with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, and olives.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups flour (plus 2 more tablespoons for rolling)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Cheese Topping

  • 340 grams fresh mozzarella (or Akawi cheese)
  • 200 grams feta cheese (or Akawi cheese)
  • 1.5 tablespoons nigella seeds (Kolonji)

Za’atar Topping

  • 7 tablespoons Za’atar spice blend
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Start by mixing the instant yeast into 1 cup of warm water. Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast. Set aside for 3 minutes until foamy.
  2. Initial Mixing: In a bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, and the yeast-water mixture. Mix thoroughly with a spoon, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes to start fermentation.
  3. Add Remaining Ingredients: After 10 minutes, add the remaining 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 cup olive oil, and salt to the bowl. Mix well until a rough, shaggy dough forms.
  4. Kneading Dough: Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead by hand for 3-4 minutes until smooth and elastic. Then place the dough back into the bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 30 minutes in a warm spot until it has doubled in size.
  5. Prepare Oven and Toppings: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising. Mix the za’atar and 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl and set aside. Separately, mix the mozzarella and feta cheese together in another bowl.
  6. Shape the Dough: Once risen, divide the dough into 10 equal-sized balls. On a floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin, medium-sized flatbread. Aim for a thin thickness as the dough will puff slightly during baking.
  7. Assemble Manakish: Transfer the rolled dough pieces onto floured baking sheets. Spread the za’atar and olive oil mixture evenly onto 5 of the dough rounds, leaving a 1/4 inch border. Spread the cheese mixture onto the remaining 5 rounds, sprinkle with nigella seeds, leaving a 1/4 inch border.
  8. Bake: Place baking sheets in the oven on the bottom rack and bake for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden. You can bake sheets simultaneously by placing one on the bottom rack and one on the middle rack, then swap positions as needed to ensure even cooking.
  9. Broil Cheese Manakish (Optional): For the cheese-topped manakish, briefly broil on high for a couple of minutes to lightly brown the cheese. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  10. Rest and Serve: Remove the baked manakish from the oven and place them on a platter. Cover with a towel or plastic bag to keep them soft until ready to serve. Enjoy with fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, mint leaves, and olives.

Notes

  • Use warm water around 100-110°F to activate the yeast properly.
  • Ensure the dough rounds are thin before baking as they will rise slightly in the oven.
  • If Akawi cheese is unavailable, fresh mozzarella and feta make a great substitute for authentic flavor.
  • Nigella seeds add a subtle nutty flavor to the cheese manakish but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Baking on multiple trays requires rotating for even cooking — watch closely to prevent burning.
  • Covering baked manakish after cooking retains moisture and keeps them soft.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/manakish-with-cheese-and-zaatar-recipe/