Cheese Zaatar Flatbread Recipes

ZA'ATAR FLATBREAD, ZAATAR FILLED FLATBREAD CHEESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix in the all purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, zaatar in a bowl. Add the warm water little at a time to make a smooth dough. Do not over knead it.
• Apply the olive oil to the dough and cover with a damp muslin cloth for at least an hour in warm place or till the dough has risen in double.
• Once the dough has risen, knead the dough again for ten minutes.
• Take 3 to 4 balls of the dough, depending upon the size of the bread that you prefer.
• Roll out the dough in any shape that you like.
• Bake in a pre heated oven of 220 C for about 15 minutes. (Every oven is different and the settings might differ according to the type and make of the oven, so use your best judgement while baking anything and keep an eye out for quick burn outs).
• Remove from the oven, sprinkle with cheese and dried herbs or any other topping that you like.
• Bake again for another 10 minutes or till the cheese has melt and the bottom nicely browned.
• Serve hot.

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.

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.

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.

GRILLED FLATBREADS WITH ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• Place 1 1/4 cups warm water in small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Whisk 3 cups flour and salt in large bowl. Add yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons oil. Using wooden spoon, mix until sticky dough forms. Turn out onto floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, sprinkling with more flour if very sticky, about 6 minutes.
• Oil another large bowl. Add dough; turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down dough; divide into 6 pieces. Shape each piece into ball. Roll out each on lightly floured surface to 7x4-inch oval.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill each flatbread until cooked through and golden, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer hot flatbreads to board. Brush with olive oil; sprinkle with za'atar. Serve warm or at room temperature.