I know there is not much happening on my blog apart from my recipes. So thought of kick starting with a Guest post. Happy to introduce you to my dear cousin Priya who along with 2 friends are the proud owners of the blog Drooolsss… Visit their blog for some really interesting recipes. I am sure it’s going to leave you drooling!
I am really thankful to her for having accepted my invite to do a post in a short notice. I am glad we share similar interests (in food). Food is our main topic every time we talk/chat 🙂
Here is a Manakesh Zaatar and it’s Arab. This is the plain or simple version. This also comes with a combination of cheese which is apparently tastier. But if you prefer it healthier; then this one’s for you.
Here’s a little note from Drooolsss… – “Zaatar” in Arabic is a traditional Middle Eastern herb mixture popular in countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey. It is traditionally eaten as part of a healthy breakfast with flat bread and olive oil or yogurt cheese. It is also used to spice chicken, meat and vegetables and can be mixed with olive oil and vinegar to make a salad dressing.
It is a mixture that is made out of mostly dried thyme, oregano, sesame seeds and sumac….there are many variations to it that consists of cumin, coriander, fennel seeds etc.
In UAE, it is readily available in all the grocery stores. For all those of you who are not in the Middle East can find it in the grocery store that sell Arab groceries or you can even make it at home.
Manakesh, manakeesh or Manaeesh is an Arabic food consisting of a dough similar to a pizza dough, topped with zaatar, cheese(Akaawi cheese) or ground meat, but used widely in many Levantine countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. Similar to a pizza, it can be sliced or folded, and it can either be served for breakfast or lunch.
A very tasty and healthy dish, served along with a cup of sweet black tea.
For the home made zaatar you will need –
- 1/4 cup sumac
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons marjoram
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
How to-
Coarsely grind the sesame seeds in a food processor or with mortar and pestle. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. That’s it, zaatar is ready!!!
This can be stored for a long period if kept in an airtight container in a cool and dark place.
To make Manakesh Zaatar you need –
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water, lukewarm
- 1 cup zaatar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
How to –
Mix the yeast in ¼ cup of lukewarm water and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Mix the zaatar with the olive oil and keep aside.
In a bowl mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast solution and knead well to form a soft dough by adding water little by little.
Grease a bowl with a little oil and transfer the dough into this bowl. Cover the bowl with a moist kitchen towel and keep it in a warm place for 1- 2 hours. After 2 hours the dough will rise and double in size.
Knead the risen dough on a floured surface for a few minutes. Now divide the dough into 8 equal parts and using a rolling pin, roll out each portion into your desired thickness and size(thickness depends on whether you want a crusty or soft base. For a crusty base roll out into thin rounds and for a soft base roll out into thick rounds.)
Using a fork prick generously on the rolled out bases. Now smear one tablespoon of the zaatar and olive oil mixture on each base. Spread it all over the base.
Bake these in a preheated oven at 350F for 12 – 15 minutes.
Serve warm with a cup of extra sweet black tea.
Foodolicious Pictured 
Wow it is so nice to have blogger cousin benefits are many he hheee…The bread looks yummy and so is the pics in their site esp. vendakka sambar.
Lovely guest post! Looks delicious! 🙂
http://www.rita-bose-cooking.com/
Hi. First time here. That's an interesting bread.I love the zataar would love to try this.
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Wow, I've only seen this in restaurants or made my FoodTV chefs. Thanks Meena and thank you cousin Priya for the recipe!
Thank you Meena. Yeah they have a lot of interesting recipes and pics.. 🙂
Thank you Rita 🙂
Thank you Pari for dropping by and also letting me know of the event. I will sure send my entry 🙂
Thank you Tisa for dropping by and the comment 🙂
That is so good but I need to find the right time to make it. Perfect meal for the weekend. Love the flavors.
Thank you Nava 🙂 You are right its perfect for the weekend. I have planned to give this a try this weekend.:-)
This is too good…perfect mix up
Thank you Revathi 🙂
Superb.. Looks very tasty Rekha.. Lovely clicks too 🙂
wow so delicious.. new recipe to me..
Thank you Nilu 🙂
Yes PT this is totally new to me 🙂