Levantine cuisine · Salads & Mezze

Shanklish (Cheese Mezze)

Aged cheese rolled in za'atar, coarsely crumbled and tossed with tomatoes, red onion, and olive oil.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 200g shanklish (or aged feta as a substitute)
• 2 tbsp za'atar spice blend
• 3 ripe tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1/2 lemon
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Take the cheese out of the fridge 20 min. before dressing it – at room temperature it crumbles softer and releases its flavor.
2. Roll the cheese balls all over in za'atar until evenly coated in green, then coarsely mash them with a fork.
3. Deseed the tomatoes and cut into small dice; shave the red onion into thin half-moons.
4. Toss the onion rings with the juice of the half lemon and a pinch of salt and let sit for 5 min. – this takes the sharpness out of them.
5. Gently combine the cheese, tomatoes, onions, and chopped parsley, then season with olive oil, chili flakes, and pepper.
6. Arrange on a shallow plate, dust with a little more za'atar, and serve as part of a mezze spread with warm flatbread.