Go Back Email Link

MANAKEESH, MIDDLE EASTERN FLATBREAD

mayurisjikoni
Manakeesh, Manakish, Manaeesh, Manaqish or in singular form Manousheh is the Middle East's version of a pizza. It is usually topped with herbs, cheese or minced meat and can be served for breakfast or lunch. Very popular in Syria, Lebanon and the Arab Peninsula.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Fermenting Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Total Time 1 hr 35 mins
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

FOR THE DOUGH:

  • 1½ cups plain flour all purpose flour
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 1¼ tsp instant dry active yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

FOR THE TOPPING:

  • 3-4 tbsp za'atar spice
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • extra oil for greasing
  • extra flour for dusting

Instructions
 

PREPARATION OF THE DOUGH:

  • Mix flour, salt and yeast in a big bowl.
  • Add oil and rub it into the flour.
  • Add water and make a soft dough.
  • Dust the worktop with little flour and knead the dough for 5 -7 minutes till it becomes smooth and silky.
  • Grease the bowl with oil.
  • Shape the dough into a round ball.
  • Rub oil over it.
  • Place in the bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel or a lid.
  • Let the dough rise for 45 minutes or till it is double the size.

SHAPE THE MANAKEESH:

  • Grease your hands and gently punch down the dough using your knuckles.
  • Knead the dough gently and divide it into 4 parts.
  • Roll each part into a ball.
  • Cover with a tea towel and let it them rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Grease a baking tray with some oil.

PREPARATION OF THE TOPPING:

  • Mix the zaatar and olive oil together.

BAKE THE MANAKEESH:

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  • Dust the worktop with some flour.
  • Take one part of the dough and roll it out or shape it into a circle using your hands. Make it a circle about 5 inches in diameter.
  • Place the rolled dough on the baking tray. Using your fingertips, make small indentations all over the rolled dough.
  • Take about a tbsp of the zaatar and olive oil mixture and spread on the rolled dough. Don't spread the mixture till the edges.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Place the tray in the hot oven and bake the flatbread for 7-8 minutes or till the edges turn light brown.

COOL AND SERVE:

  • Take the Manakeesh out of the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool.
  • Serve it with cheese, soup, minced meat, vegetables, olives,eggs etc.

Notes

  • make the manakeesh as small or big as you like.
  • Serve it with a topping of salad to make it a light lunch option.
  • You can pat it into shape with your hands or use a rolling pin.
  • It is best not to spread the olive oil and za'atar mixture till the edge, outside the oil will drip out.
Keyword how to make manakeesh, manakeesh recipe, manakeesh, middle eastern flatbread