Black Olive Yogurt Cheese With Flatbread Recipes

QUICK AND EASY YOGHURT FLATBREADS

Steps:

• Place Greek yoghurt in a mixing bowl and give it a stir. Add in 1 cup of flour and stir to combine. Gradually add in more flour until the dough starts to form into a ball.
• Tip the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead with your hands for a minute or two. If the dough is still too sticky, add some more flour and continue to knead. The dough is ready when it is able to hold it's shape and is not sticking to your hands or the surface.
• Divide the dough into 6 even parts. Lightly grease a work surface with olive oil then use a rolling pin to roll each ball of dough out into rounds approximately the size of a saucer.
• Heat a skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a flatbread and cook each side for 20-30 seconds, until cooked through and covered in brown spots. Repeat with the remaining flatbread.
• If using optional garlic butter, mix butter and garlic together then brush on top of the flatbreads as soon as they come out of the frying pan.

YOGURT FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Whisk 3 tablespoons warm water (100 to 110 degrees F; see Cook's Note) with the honey in a small bowl until dissolved. Stir in the yeast and let sit until it begins to bubble, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and salt in a separate bowl. Make a well in the center and add the yogurt and 2/3 cup warm water. Stir the water and yogurt together in the well, then stir in the yeast mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture together until it forms a rough ball of dough; the dough will have a shaggy texture. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and knead the dough until it becomes smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. If the dough begins to stick to your hands, lightly flour them and continue to knead. Add the dough back to the bowl, cover with a clean towel and allow to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough. At this point, you can proceed with baking below, or you can freeze the dough. To freeze, place the dough in a resealable freezer bag, squeeze out excess air and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the dough in the refrigerator the night before you want to make the flatbreads.
• To cook the flatbreads, lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, about 2 ounces each. Roll each piece of dough into a ball, then flatten into a circle with your palm. Roll each dough circle into a roughly 6- to 7-inch round, but don't worry if the flatbread takes on another shape, as long as it is approximately 1/4 inch thick. If the dough begins to stick to the rolling pin or board, just dust with more flour.
• Heat a 10-inch or larger cast-iron pan or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly grease with vegetable oil. When the pan just begins to smoke, reduce the heat to medium and add 1 to 2 flatbreads or whatever fits in the pan without any overlap. Cook until bubbles appear on the top of the dough and the bottom is cooked and deep brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook until completely cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet to cool and repeat with the remaining flatbreads. If the pan gets too hot, just remove from the heat to let cool slightly, then wipe out the pan, grease with a little more oil and resume cooking the flatbreads.
• When all the flatbreads are cooked, let cool completely. Eat immediately or wrap in a clean towel and store at room temperature for 1 day. To freeze: To ensure fresh, warm flatbreads every time, stack the flatbreads with a piece of parchment between each (see Cook's Note) and then place in a resealable freezer bag. Push out the excess air and freeze for up to about 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Remove the desired number of flatbreads from the freezer and place on a baking sheet in a flat layer. Bake from frozen until the flatbreads are warmed through and soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Alternatively, you can toast the flatbreads from frozen in a toaster oven for about 3 minutes on the toaster setting.

EASY YOGURT FLATBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add the yogurt and stir with a rubber spatula or dough hook to combine. When it starts looking crumbly, I abandon the stirring utensil and dig in with my hands, mashing and pressing, until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Cover and let the dough rest for 30-45 minutes.
• On a lightly floured counter, divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Let rest while the griddle preheats.
• Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium heat (350-375 degrees on an electric griddle).
• Roll each ball of dough into about a 6-inch circle, flouring the rolling pin and counter as needed. The flatbreads can be as thin or thick as you like. I roll them a little thicker than a flour tortilla.
• Cook the flatbreads on the hot griddle or skillet until the dough starts to bubble up on the uncooked side, 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side until puffy, golden and cooked through, another 2-3 minutes. The exact time will depend on the skillet/griddle and temperature.
• Transfer cooked flatbread to a clean towel, stacking the hot flatbread as it comes off the griddle. Optional: butter the flatbread immediately after removing from the griddle.
• Serve warm or at room temperature (the flatbread keeps well covered in the refrigerator and can be warmed up prior to serving).

SWEET FLATBREAD WITH LEMON YOGURT WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the lemon yogurt whip: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream and yogurt to soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and lemon zest and continue beating until stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the flatbread: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, yeast and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, yogurt, vanilla and almond extracts and stir very well to get rid of any lumps. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let it sit at room temperature until doubled in size and bubbly, 1 to 2 hours or refrigerated overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels and stick it in the oven to hold cooked flatbread.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt enough butter for a thin coating on the bottom of the pan. Pour in about 1/2 cup of batter and cook until the bottom is browned and starting to crisp and the bubbles on the top have released and batter has set. Don't flip it! Transfer to the baking sheet in the oven with a metal spatula. Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan in between batches.
• Warm some honey over medium heat or in the microwave. To serve, top a flatbread with the yogurt whip, a drizzle of warm honey, a sprinkle of pistachios, and fruit, if using. Enjoy!

BLACK-OLIVE YOGURT CHEESE WITH FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Wet large square of cheesecloth and wring dry. Line sieve with damp cloth; place sieve over bowl. Spoon yogurt into sieve, fold cheesecloth ends over yogurt, and chill overnight to drain.
• Scrape drained yogurt into medium bowl. Mix in olives and lemon juice.
• Do ahead: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover; chill.
• Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. Place on platter with flatbreads and/or crackers.

OLIVE AND SUN-DRIED FLAT BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the flour, 1tsp of sea salt, the yeast, 1tbsp of olive oil, and the warm water in a large mixing bowl with a fork until the mixture is somewhat combined. If you have added too much water, so that the mixture is really soggy, add a little more flour
• On a floured surface knead the dough well with your hands and knuckles for about 6-8mins until the dough is elastic and smooth. Now put the dough in a plastic bag, tie the bag up and place it somewhere warm for an hour or so until the dough has roughly doubled in size. This gives the yeast time to prove
• Preheat oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7
• Add the olives and sun dried tomatoes to the the dough making sure they are well mixed in and integrated. Now mould the dough into a rough round shape and press down firmly.
• Place the dough on a lined baking tray and let it rise for another 30mins. At the same time, in a small bowl, mix the rosemary, oregano, black pepper and the other tsp of sea salt.
• Brush the surface of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle the rosemary mix evenly on top of the dough.
• Bake for 30mins until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let your olive and sun-dried tomato flat bread cool on a wire rack

BLACK OLIVE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place olives, Parmesan cheese, and garlic (if using) in a food processor. Add olive oil slowly while running. Process until smooth.

GEORGIAN CHEESE-FILLED FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Place an oven rack at the lowest position. Preheat to 450 degrees.
• To make the cheese filling, blend all the ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of the flour, the baking powder and salt. Add the yogurt, and stir well. Continue stirring in more flour until the dough has lost its stickiness and can be worked with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft and slightly elastic.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. (Keep the remaining pieces covered with a cloth while you work with one piece of dough at a time.) Flatten a piece of dough with the lightly floured palm of your hand. Then, either stretching the dough or using a small rolling pin, flatten it out to a round 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the cheese filling in the center.
• Pinch the edges of the dough between your thumb and forefinger. Fold each side in, still leaving the center of the filling uncovered. Then, pinch around the new outer edge of the dough. Stretch the flaps inward so that the filling is covered completely, pleating excess dough as necessary. Pinch the pleats closed, and then, with the lightly floured palm of your hand, gently press down on the top of the mound to flatten it. Turn the bread over, and gently press down again on the bottom. This will push the filling out into the edges of the bread; it should be 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick and 7 to 8 inches in diameter.
• Lightly oil the baking sheets. Place a filled bread on a prepared sheet, and continue making breads until the first baking sheet is full. Bake the breads for 5 to 6 minutes, then remove from the oven, slide into a basket lined with a cloth, and cover to keep warm. Prepare the remainder of the breads while the first batch bakes, and then bake in the same fashion.

SPICY BEEF FLATBREAD WITH YOGURT & CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; thoroughly clean grates and brush with oil. Whisk yogurt and lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to assemble.
• Mix garlic, tomato paste, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Mix in beef and 2 tablespoons olive oil until completely combined. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast iron skillet on the grill or stove over medium high. Cook beef mixture, stirring occasionally and breaking up large clumps, until browned and cooked through, 12-14 minutes. Add onion and cook until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside until ready to assemble.
• Increase grill to high heat. On a clean work surface lightly dusted with flour, stretch or roll each piece of dough into a 12- x 10-inch oval and transfer to a pizza peel or cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal. (If dough springs back, cover and let rest 10 minutes, then stretch again, resting as needed). Transfer both pieces of prepared dough to grill over direct heat. Cook until first side is charred and dough is dry and stiff, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook just until second side is charred and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet and let cool slightly. Top with cooked beef mixture, dividing evenly. Dollop with yogurt mixture and top with cucumber and cilantro.

GREEK YOGURT TURKISH FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, sugar, and water into a medium-large bowl and stir well. Allow to sit in a warm place for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast. The mixture will be foamy and bubbly when activated.
• Whisk in the Greek yogurt olive oil and salt.
• Add flour and parsley and stir with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula and until the dough comes together. Turn dough out onto a well-floured counter and turn to coat. Knead for 3-4 minutes or until dough is no longer sticky and springs back when lightly pressed. Sprinkle more flour onto the counter if the dough is sticky during kneading.
• Divide dough into 10 equal pieces, sprinkle lightly with flour, then cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a medium saucepan to a medium-low heat. While pan is heating, roll one of the dough portions into an approximately 7-inch circle. Brush the top surface lightly with extra virgin olive oil. When the pan is hot, pick up the first circle with your hand and place in pan, oiled side down. Lightly brush the top surface with oil. Allow to the flatbread to cook for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, until top surface is covered with bubbles and underside is golden around the edges and in spots.
• Flip to opposite side and cook for another 60-90 seconds until a few small golden spots appear. Don't overcook on the second side. Repeat rolling, oiling and cooking with remaining portions of dough.
• Sprinkle flatbreads with a bit more chopped parsley when finished, if desired. Stack flatbreads in a clean kitchen towel after cooking to steam a bit and retain softness.
• When cool, store in a ziplock bag. Reheat in a pan without oil for a minute or two on each side OR wrap flatbreads in paper toweling and heat in the microwave on low power until warm.

BLACK GRAPE, BLUE CHEESE AND THYME FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and yeast with 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add 1/2 cup/120 milliliters lukewarm water and, using a sturdy spatula, bring the mixture together until it forms a shaggy mass.
• Transfer dough to a lightly oiled work surface and, with lightly oiled hands, knead for about five minutes, until soft and elastic. If it starts to stick to your work surface then just add a little bit more oil. Coat the dough ball very lightly in oil, transfer to a clean bowl, cover with a slightly damp cloth and leave in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until nearly doubled in size.
• While the dough is rising, make the topping: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, combine the grapes, 1/2 teaspoon star anise, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup/240 milliliters water, the lemon zest and sugar. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently and gently smashing the grapes with the back of a spatula until the consistency is jammy and the grapes have softened and begin to burst. Discard the lemon zest and stir in the cornstarch. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit/260 degrees Celsius.
• Place a large, sturdy baking sheet in the oven to heat. (A thin pan can warp at this high temperature.) Lightly oil a work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to form a roughly 11-by-15-inch/20-by-40-centimeter rectangle (a bit smaller than the sheet pan). Use your hands to press the dough so that the edges are slightly thicker than the rest of the dough, like a pizza, to prevent juices from spilling over.
• Remove pan from oven, brush with 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil and lay the dough on top. Brush the edges of the dough with oil. Spoon the grape jam onto the center of the dough and spread outward, leaving a 3/4-inch/2-centimeter rim clear around the edges. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each of star anise and cinnamon. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until crisp and browned.
• Remove from the oven and immediately scatter the blue cheese evenly over the top so it starts to melt. Sprinkle with the thyme and let cool 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut while still warm. Serve warm (preferably) or at room temperature.

ISRAELI YOGURT "CHEESE" WITH PITA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Set strainer over large bowl. Line strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth, allowing 4 inches to extend over sides of strainer (do not let strainer touch bottom of bowl). Spoon yogurt into strainer. Gather cheesecloth together; fold over yogurt. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight (liquid will drain out and yogurt will thicken).
• Combine sesame seeds, salt, summer savory, cayenne and cumin in small bowl. Open cheesecloth at top. Using rubber spatula, transfer drained yogurt to bowl. Drizzle olive oil over. Sprinkle with sesame seed mixture. Place bowl in center of platter; surround with pita bread triangles and olives.
• Broil tomatoes until skins begin to split and blacken in spots, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes. Cool. Peel tomatoes. Cut into wedges. Arrange peppers, tomatoes and eggs on platter. Sprinkle with tuna and capers. Mix oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad.