Levantine cuisine · Dough, Pasta & Rice

Kaak bi Zaatar

Crisp sesame bread rings shaped like handbags, sliced open hot and filled with zaatar.

Ingredients · for 6 servings

• 500 g flour
• 1 packet dry yeast (7 g)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 300 ml lukewarm water
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 80 g sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp zaatar spice blend
• 2 tbsp sugar syrup

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in the lukewarm water, let stand for 10 min. and knead with flour, salt and 2 tbsp olive oil for 10 min. into an elastic dough; let rise covered for 50 min.
2. Divide the dough into six pieces, roll each into a 30 cm long strand, close it into a ring and pull one side out into a wide, flat 'ear'.
3. Mix the sugar syrup with 2 tbsp water, brush it all over the rings and immediately press both sides firmly into the sesame seeds.
4. Place the rings on two baking sheets lined with parchment and let rest again for 20 min. until visibly risen.
5. Bake at 220 °C top/bottom heat for 15–18 min. until the sesame is golden brown and the rings sound hollow when tapped.
6. Mix the zaatar with the remaining olive oil, slice the still-warm rings open at the side, spread with the paste and serve immediately.