Levantine cuisine · Dough, Pasta & Rice

Manakish Zaatar

Lebanese breakfast flatbreads with za'atar-olive oil topping – irresistible fresh from the oven.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 500 g wheat flour
• 1 cube fresh yeast (42 g)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 280 ml lukewarm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil (dough)
• 6 tbsp za'atar spice mix
• 8 tbsp olive oil (topping)

Instructions

1. Dissolve the yeast with the sugar in the lukewarm water and let stand for 10 min until foamy.
2. Add the flour, salt and olive oil and knead everything for 8–10 min into a smooth dough.
3. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 60 min, until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Preheat the oven to 250 °C top/bottom heat, ideally with a pizza stone or an upturned baking sheet.
5. Divide the dough into 8 balls and roll each into a flat round (approx. 15 cm); press dimples into the surface with your fingertips.
6. Stir the za'atar with olive oil into a spreadable paste and brush it over the flatbreads.
7. Bake one at a time for 6–8 min, until the edges are golden brown – serve warm, classically with tomatoes, olives and mint.