LEBANESE MAN’OUCHE

What can be better than the smell of a freshly baked Lebanese man’ouche topped with za’atar? Nothing, nothing can comfort or satisfy a grumpy morning self than some delicious man’ouche bi za’atar!! It is one of the most important foods of Lebanese cuisine, some other toppings include, cheese, kishik, or minced lamb meat, but the most popular topping is za’atar. Manakeesh has been around since the early times in Lebanon. Manakeesh has a very special place in the hearts of the Lebanese people!!!

INGREDIENTS

3 &1/2 cups Flour

1 cup Warm Water

1 tbsp. Active Dry Yeast

1 tbsp. Sugar

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 cup Plain Yogurt

4 tbsp. Extra Virgin Oil

METHOD

In a large bowl combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water, the water should not be too hot, or the yeast will not proof. Leave to rise while you move onto the next step.

In another bowl add the flour, salt and mix well.

By now the yeast should have formed. Add olive oil and mix. Then add the yogurt and mix again until fully combined.

Add half of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon, gradually add the remaining flour, now kneading with both your hands, until the dough is smooth, supple, firm, and elastic, at least for 10 minutes.

Lightly oil a deep bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm spot until it doubles in size, for one hour or one hour and a half.

Now you can prepare the different toppings

Place the Akkawi cheese in water and change the water several times to wash out the salt. When the cheese tastes less salty, shred the Akkawi cheese and mix with shredded mozzarella in a medium-sized bowl.

Mix a portion of 1 tablespoon of zaatar to one tablespoon of olive oil. Mix as much as you will need.

Once the dough has doubled in size, divide the dough into equal pieces, form into smooth balls, dust lightly with flour cover, and let sit to rest for an additional 30 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll out each ball into a circle. Top the flatbreads with za’atar mixture and others with cheese.

On medium heat, grease a heavy-bottomed frying pan and place on the stove, when heated enough, place the manouche in the frying pan, tilt, and watch until golden brown at the bottom.

You can make zaatar man’ouche either by applying zaatar mix on top or can top the zaatar with, akkawi or a mix of akkawi, and mozzarella. Can make the topping with any of your favorite cheese mixes. It tastes so awesome! It can be easily made at home.

Serve warm with a vegetable dish of cucumber, tomatoes, mint, and olives on the side.