Manakish Zaatar (Traditional Lebanese Spiced Pita Bread)

Steps

1. 1To begin making the Manakish Zaatar, you can begin by preparing Zaatar at home, if you do not have it on hand. Mix all the ingredients listed under "Or To Make Your Own Zaatar" together and shake well to combine. Your home made zaatar spice mix is ready. Store in air tight container and use as and when required.
2. 2To begin making the Manakish, first add yeast and sugar in a small mixing bowl and pour luke warm water over it. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes until the yeast starts bubbling. If the yeast doesn’t react discard it and start another batch.
3. 3In another mixing bowl, add flour, salt, olive oil and mix with your fingers. Make a well in the center and pour in the bubbly/frothy yeast mixture. Mix well. Add water only if required and bring it together into a scraggy dough where the ingredients are holding together in a rough mix.
4. 4Clean your counter surface thoroughly, dust with flour and transfer the dough onto the counter. Knead until you get smooth, soft dough that is pliable.
5. 5Place the dough in a greased bowl, rub olive oil all over and cover it with a damp cloth. Set it aside for abour 1.5 hours or until it has risen and has doubled in size.
6. 6Knock down the dough (punch it with your fist), this is done to release all the air that would have collected. Gently knead for another 2 minutes.
7. 7At this stage, preheat the oven at 180 degrees C.
8. 8Divide dough into equal sized balls, depending on the size of Manakish you want to make. Place it on a greased surface and cover and let it rise a second time for another 15 minutes.
9. 9Now, working with one portion of dough at a time, flatten it into a disc like a pizza base, about ¼ inch thick. Punch small holes on the dough like dimples. Sprinkle zaatar spice mix on top. Press gently so the spice mix sticks to the base.
10. 10Place the prepared manakish one at a time on a baking sheet and bake in pre heated over at 170 degrees C for about 8 to 10 minutes each, once you see the base turning slightly brown.
11. 11Serve Manakish Zaatar as breakfast or as a party appetiser along with Tzatziki or Hummus too. It makes a good addition to a Lebanese or Middle Eastern lunch or dinner.