Manakeesh Recipe

Manakeesh, also known as Manakish or Man'oushe, is a popular Levantine food consisting of dough topped with various ingredients such as za'atar, cheese, or ground meat. It's often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. Here's a basic recipe for Za'atar Manakeesh:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1. All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups.
2. Dry Yeast: 1 packet (about 2 1/4 teaspoons).
3. Sugar: 1 teaspoon.
4. Warm Water: 1 cup (approximately).
5. Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, plus more for greasing.
6. Salt: 1 teaspoon.

For the Topping:

1. Za'atar Mix: 1/2 cup (a blend of dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt).
2. Olive Oil: 1/4 cup.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a bowl, mix the dry yeast, sugar, and about 1/4 cup of the warm water. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, remaining warm water, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Za'atar Topping:

   • In a bowl, mix the za'atar with olive oil to create a spreadable paste.

3. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If you have a baking stone, place it in the oven to heat as well.

4. Assemble the Manakeesh:

   • Once the dough has risen, divide it into 6-8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten it into a disc shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
   • Spread a thin layer of the za'atar mixture over the surface of each flattened dough.

5. Bake:

   • Place the prepared dough on a baking sheet or hot baking stone. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the Manakeesh warm. They can be enjoyed as is or with accompaniments like cheese, labneh (strained yogurt), or fresh vegetables.

Tips:

• You can experiment with different toppings like cheese (such as Akkawi, Halloumi, or Mozzarella) or minced meat.
• If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a bit more water.
• The consistency of the za'atar and olive oil mixture should be easily spreadable, but not too runny.

Enjoy your homemade Manakeesh!