Cheese Zaatar Flatbread Recipes

MAN'OUSHE

Steps:

• To make the dough, in a bowl of a stand mixer (if mixing by hand, use a large bowl), sprinkle the yeast over the water along with the sugar and let sit in a warm place until the yeast starts to bubble, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the olive oil, flour, and salt. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. If mixing by hand, stir with a wood spoon or spatula until it becomes too thick to stir, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter. Knead the dough in the machine on medium-high speed, or by hand, until the dough forms a smooth ball, but is slightly sticky when you touch it with your finger. It'll take about 5 minutes and will pull away from the sides of the mixer bowl. Cover the dough in the bowl with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 1/2 hours.
• To make the flatbreads, preheat the oven to 500ºF/260ºC and move the oven rack to the upper third of the oven. Set a baking steel on the rack. (Check the manufacturer's instructions for your baking steel or stone.) Otherwise, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the baking steel or stone for 45 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured countertop and divide the dough into six pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a small oval, rolling it just until each starts to resist. When each one does, set it aside on the countertop and begin rolling another. Continue to roll each of the six pieces of dough into ovals, stopping when the dough starts stretching back on itself.
• When ready to bake, take the first oval of dough and roll it out to its final size, adding a bit more flour if necessary to keep it from sticking to the counter or rolling pin, turning it over a few times to ensure it's not sticking. Roll it until it's about 12-inch long by 4- or 5-inches wide (30cm by 10- to 12cm).
• Spread the oval with a layer of the za'atar mixture, about 1 1/2 tablespoons per flatbread leaving, not quite reaching the edge so there's space for a crust. Don't worry about any bare spots when smearing on the za'atar: it doesn't need to be perfect.
• (Note: My za'atar was quite fresh, and strong. But if yours isn't, you can use more of the topping is you wish. If you need more for spreading, mix za'atar and olive oil together in even amounts.)
• Lift the finished flatbread with your hands, or slide a pizza peel dusted with flour underneath, and transfer the flatbread on the baking steel or stone. Continue rolling and topping the rest of the flatbreads, baking each until the crust is golden brown, about 7 minutes.
• (If you don't have a pizza peel and are worried about transferring the dough, another option is to cut six sheets of parchment paper to a size that will fit under the rolled dough, then transfer the unbaked flatbreads to the parchment paper before smearing them with za'atar. Leave the parchment paper under the flatbreads and lift them, holding the ends of the paper, then bake the man'oushe breads on the parchment paper, setting them directly on the baking steel or stone.)
• Remove the flatbreads from the oven when the crusts are golden brown and serve warm or at room temperature.

ZA'ATAR FLATBREAD WITH LEBANESE VEGGIE SLAW AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the veggie slaw: In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice, olive oil, Aleppo pepper and salt. Whisk well, and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, add the romaine, cherry tomatoes, parsley, mint, cucumber, red onion and red pepper. Mix together until well combined. Pour the lemon dressing over the slaw and toss to thoroughly coat, being careful not to bruise the lettuce.
• For the za'atar flatbread: Place a wok, dome-side up, over a burner and preheat over medium heat.
• Divide the pizza dough in half and roll into balls. Oil the dough and set aside at room temperature until it can be easily rolled out, about 30 minutes. Flatten the dough balls and, with a floured rolling pin, roll each into a 12- to 14-inch circle.
• In a small mixing bowl combine the za'atar and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil; reserve to the side. Season the pre-heated wok with 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil. Set the first flatbread over the domed wok surface; it will start to cook immediately. Brush with half of the olive oil-za'atar mixture, spreading it evenly to 1/4-inch from the edges. Cook the flatbread until just lightly brown on the bottom. Remove to a flat surface, and repeat for other flatbread.
• To serve, add some veggie slaw to each flatbread, garnish with the goat cheese and roll up like a burrito. Cut in half and serve. Skewer if needed.

CHEESE & ZA'ATAR FLATBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Pour in the 2 tablespoons oil and the water gradually. Mix to form a dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and smooth.
• Place in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Leave to rise in a draft-free place for 1-1/2 hours until it doubles in size.
• Cut the dough into 8 equal parts and shape into balls. Dust with a little flour and cover with a towel. Leave to rest for an additional 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Combine the za'atar and the 1/2 cup olive oil to make the topping. Shred the cheese and set aside.
• On a floured surface, flatten each ball and with a rolling pin roll into a circle of approximately 6-8". Place on greased baking sheets and spread the za'atar/oil mixture on some of the circles leaving a 1/2" border. Do the same for the cheese flatbreads. Use your fingers to spread the fillings evenly. Pinch and crimp the edges to create a decorative border.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden, and serve hot.

MANAQEESH (ZA'ATAR FLATBREADS)

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix both flours, the salt and sugar. Add the oil, yeast and 1 cup water, and knead in the bowl with your fingers. Gradually knead in another 1/4 cup water, then knead in more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together into a somewhat sticky ball. Let rest 5 minutes, then knead until smooth, supple and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. Alternatively, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine all the dough ingredients with 1 cup water and mix on low speed, gradually adding water until the dough comes together. Continue mixing until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Rub the dough ball lightly with some oil, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside until the dough doubles in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Timing will vary depending on water and room temperatures.
• Meanwhile, make the topping: Combine the za'atar and olive oil in a bowl and mix well.
• Divide the risen dough into 6 equal portions, roll into spheres and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel so the dough doesn't dry out. Let rise again until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 500 degrees. Very lightly grease 2 baking sheets with olive oil.
• Place a dough round on a prepared sheet. With your fingers, flatten it into a thin circle 7 to 8 inches in diameter. Use a spoon to spread about one-sixth of the za'atar mixture on top, leaving a narrow border along the perimeter and pressing the za'atar into the dough firmly with the spoon to prevent the bread from rising as it bakes. If your baking sheet can fit another piece or two of dough, repeat the process on the same sheet.
• Bake until golden at the edges and the topping is lightly bubbling, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. While the first batch is in the oven, prepare more on the second sheet. Bake as soon as the first sheet comes out. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.
• Serve as soon as they're cool enough to handle or at room temperature. Once cooled, leftovers can be stored in the freezer, with parchment or wax paper between each piece, for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven when ready to enjoy.