Description
Cheese Manakish is a cozy and delicious Lebanese snack featuring a soft, yeasted dough topped with a blend of creamy queso blanco and stretchy mozzarella cheese. This flavorful flatbread is baked to golden perfection, making it an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast, lunch, or any time you crave a savory Middle Eastern delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 cup Queso Blanco
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon zaatar
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup ground beef (cooked beforehand)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, olive oil, and salt. Mix until the mixture is sticky, then knead it for approximately 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for baking the manakish.
- Shape the dough: Divide the risen dough into equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball into a circle about 5-6 inches wide, making a gentle dip in the center of each circle to hold the cheese filling.
- Add the cheese filling: Mix the queso blanco, mozzarella, and zaatar together for the topping. Spoon roughly 2 tablespoons of this cheese mixture into the center of each dough circle, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges to form a crust.
- Bake the manakish: Arrange the prepared dough circles on greased baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the dough is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Once removed from the oven, allow the manakish to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm and fresh for the best taste and texture!
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm (around 110°F/43°C) to properly activate the yeast.
- Feel free to customize toppings with spinach or cooked ground beef for added flavor variations.
- Za’atar adds a distinct Middle Eastern flavor and can be adjusted to your taste preference.
- For a crispier crust, bake the manakish on a preheated pizza stone if available.
- Consume fresh as manakish is best enjoyed warm.
