Lebanese Zaatar Bread - Manakish, Manoushe Flatbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Manakish and Manoushe? ›

Manakeesh is also known as “Manoush”, “Manaeesh”, and “Manakish”. It can be described as a flat baked dough with toppings, just like a pizza – which is why it is often referred to as 'Lebanese Pizza'.

Za'atar is an incredibly versatile Middle Eastern spice blend, one of my favorites. Particularly this time of year when it's a welcome addition to all sorts of roasted vegetables, soups and stews, or simply sprinkled over everything from yogurt, to eggs, to savory granola.

The Lebanese version of pizza is what is known as man'oushe, which consists of flat bread topped with oil and za'atar, plus toppings like cheese, pickles, veggies, labneh and meat and, much like pizza, is traditionally cooked over a wood fire.

If you want a beautiful bread that has it ALL, here you go. Za'atar, the Lebanese spice blend of wild thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds (pronounced ZAH-tuh; find a great one here), is mixed with oil, then spread on enriched dough (oil, eggs).

Za'atar (/ˈzɑːtɑːr/ ZAH-tar; Arabic: زَعْتَر, IPA: [ˈzaʕtar]) is a Levantine culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, and other spices.

Dukkah and za'atar both come from the Middle Eastern region and have slight similarities. While some of the ingredients of the two spice mixes are the same, za'atar is made with more ground herbs, such as thyme and oregano, while dukkah is primarily seeds and nuts.

Plant-based healthy foods generate health-promoting effects, especially on chronic and cardio-metabolic diseases. Za'atar mixture is commonly employed in the Mediterranean diet and is rich of bioactive compounds. Za'atar components modulate gut microbiota, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and obesity.

Zaatar or Za'tar (zaah-tur) is a common noun in the Arabic language and refers to both a Middle-Eastern herb spice mixture and importantly a distinct herb plant in the mint family. The herbal plant is referred to in English as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano, but the mixture is just called zaatar.

Anti-inflammatory Properties: Many of the herbs in za'atar, like thyme and oregano, contain compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in reducing inflammation in the body.

Well-known dishes include baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, sfeeha, falafel and shawarma. An important component of many Lebanese meals is hummus, a chickpea puree dish, and many dishes are eaten with flatbread. Well-known desserts include baklawa, sfouf and ka'ak.

What to eat with manoush? ›

I love to have my manoush spread with Labneh (Lebanese strained yogurt), a drizzle of olive oil, and topped with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs also make a tasty accompaniment.

A traditional Lebanese breakfast consists of Labneh, ka'ak, eggs, makdous, and something yummy from the bakery. There are so many options to choose from!

Za'atar has been shown to help people with bronchitis stop coughing fits, and dried sumac, which is one of the main ingredients, has been shown to lower blood pressure and help people with type 2 diabetes.

Its ingredients include toasted sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram, coriander, oregano, chickpea flour, sea salt, sunflower oil, citric acid and lemon oil.

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

Lahmacun is often topped with vegetables and rolled up. Originating from the Levant, lahm bi ajeen or lahmacun is a popular dish in Lebanon and Syria. In the Levant it is part of a series of foods called, collectively, Manakish - flatbreads with toppings. It is also sometimes referred to as "Lebanese pizza".

Noun. manakish. A Levantine Arabic food resembling a pizza and consisting of dough topped with thyme, cheese, or ground meat.

Manousha is an Arabic word derived from the root verb naqasha, meaning 'to sculpt, carve out'.