Description
Manakish Zaatar and Jibneh is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread made with soft homemade dough and topped with fragrant zaatar, olive oil, and creamy melted cheese. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gatherings, these savory flatbreads are warm, comforting, and full of authentic flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup Middle Eastern zaatar mixture
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 large spoon roasted sesame seeds
- 500 grams Nabulsi or Akawi cheese, sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup grated Kashkaval cheese or any coarse yellow cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Add the olive oil, beaten egg, yogurt, and warm water gradually while mixing.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth, soft, and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into equal-sized balls.
- Roll each dough ball into thin circles about 1/2 cm thick.
- Lightly grease baking trays with olive oil and place the dough rounds on the trays.
- In a small bowl, mix the zaatar with olive oil and roasted sesame seeds.
- Spread the zaatar mixture evenly over some dough circles.
- For the cheese manakish, top the dough with sliced white cheese and grated yellow cheese.
- Allow the prepared manakish to rest for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 180°C.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the cheese is melted.
- Serve warm with fresh vegetables, olives, yogurt, or tea.
Notes
- Soak salty cheese briefly in water if needed to reduce saltiness.
- Whole wheat flour can replace part of the all-purpose flour for a heartier texture.
- Cover baked manakish with a towel to keep them soft.
- Fresh mint, tomatoes, or olives make delicious toppings.
- Manakish can be frozen baked or unbaked for future meals.
- A skillet can be used instead of an oven if necessary.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 manakish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 32mg
