Best Manaeesh Bread Recipes

MANAKISH (LEBANESE ZA'ATAR BREAD)

Steps:

• Mix sugar and active dry yeast into a cup of warm water. Allow the yeast to activate until frothy. This can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. (Tip: If the water does not froth it could be due to the yeast being expired, or the water is either too hot or too cold.)
• Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. When the yeast is frothy, add it to the same bowl, along with the olive oil.
• Stir to combine the ingredients and then knead the dough for at least 5 minutes. You may use a stand mixer with a hook attachment if you prefer.
• When the dough is smooth and elastic, form it into a ball and place it inside a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise for 1-½ hours in a warm location.
• Punch down the dough and knead for a few additional minutes. Divide the dough in half and then each half into thirds. Form each portion into a ball and place it on a floured surface or baking sheet. Cover the dough and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
• Prepare the Za'atar from scratch or use a pre-made blend. Mix the Za'atar with olive oil.
• On a floured surface, form each portion into a circle about the same size as pita bread. Flatten the circle with your hand, or use a rolling pin. Use your fingers to make indentations into the top of the dough (similar to Focaccia bread).Tip: This step will not only help spread the dough but allow the zaatar paste to fill the indentations and stick to the dough.
• Transfer onto a pizza stone or lightly oiled pan. Add a few tablespoons of the Za'atar paste onto each flatbread, leaving an inch border all around.
• Bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown along the edges. Serve with Lebneh, Hummus, or cheese and olives.

MANAKEESH BIL ZA'ATAR (FLAT BREAD WITH ZA'ATAR)

Steps:

• To make the dough, sift the flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the centre and add in the water and knead till the dough has come together leaving the sides of the bowl clean.
• Transfer onto a clean work surface and knead for about 10 minutes till the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Lightly grease the bowl and transfer the dough into the bowl and cover with cling film and leave it in a warm place till it has doubled in bulk, for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 7/425F/220°C.
• Put 2 large oiled baking sheets in the oven to heat.
• Knock the air out of the dough and knead again for about 2 minutes.
• Divide into 8 portions and roll each ball between your palms until smooth and round.
• Flour the work surface and flatten each round with a rolling pin until it is circular, even, and about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for 20 more minutes.
• Brush the tops of the discs with a little olive oil.
• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the zaatar spice mix and add in the remaining oil and give it a good mix.
• Spread the oil-zaatar mixture over the surface of each bread.
• Slide the bread onto the hot baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot.

MANAAEESH FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Mix yeast with warm water in a large mixing bowl and allow to stand until a creamy layer of foam appears, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil, then gradually stir in flour and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and just a little bit sticky, 10 to 12 minutes. Place dough into an oiled bowl and turn dough around in bowl to coat surface with oil; cover bowl and refrigerate dough overnight. (Dough should double in size.)
• Coat a 9x13-inch baking sheet generously with 2 tablespoons olive oil; place dough in the center of the baking sheet and flatten into a thick disk. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Use your palms and fingers to gently press and stretch dough to the edges of the oiled baking sheet, making the flatbread as even in thickness as you can. With fingertips, make small indentations in the dough. Brush dough with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Stir za'atar and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt together in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the flatbread. Let dough rest for 30 minutes uncovered.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake flatbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.