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Recipe by Gil Marks

Middle Eastern Za’atar Bread (Manaeesh)

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Parve Parve
Easy Easy
8 Servings
Allergens
3 Hours, 40 Minutes
Diets

Za’atar is commonly sprinkled over labneh (yogurt cheese) and hot flat breads and complements oily fish, various stews, soups, and salads. Another way of serving this combination is to dip pieces of warm bread into a saucer of olive oil, then into a plate of za’atar. Or the za’atar is stirred into the olive oil for dipping. In any case, olive oil, in particular, releases its flavor.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (.25-ounce/7-gram) Gefen Dry Yeast or other active dry yeast 

  • 1 and 1/2 cups warm water (105–115 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons table salt or 1 tablespoon Haddar Kosher Salt

  • 1–3 tablespoons Bartenura Olive Oil or vegetable oil (optional), plus more for brushing

  • about 4 cups (20 ounces/560 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

  • about 1/4 cup za’atar, for sprinkling

Directions

Prepare the Bread

1.

Dissolve the yeast in a quarter-cup water.  Stir in the sugar and let stand until foamy (five to 10 minutes). Add the remaining water, salt, if desired, oil, and two cups flour.  Gradually add enough of the remaining flour until the mixture holds together.

2.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic (10 to 15 minutes).  Place in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise until doubled in bulk (about two hours).

3.

Punch down the dough, knead briefly, cover, and let rest for about 15 minutes.Divide into three or four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thin round about nine inches in diameter. Sprinkle ungreased baking sheets with cornmeal or flour, place the dough rounds on top, cover, and let stand until puffy (about 30 minutes).

4.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).

5.

Brush the tops of the dough rounds with a little oil and sprinkle with the za’atar.

6.

Bake until lightly browned (10 to 15 minutes). Serve warm or at room temperature.

Middle Eastern Za'atar Bread (Manaeesh)

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