Za’atar Flatbread (Mana’eesh bi Za’atar)

Makes 12 6” flatbreads

Ingredients:

For the dough:

2 ½ cups- Lukewarm water
1 tbsp. Yeast
1 tsp. Sugar
1 tbsp. Salt
6 – 7 cups- All-purpose flour or Bread flour

For Za’atar herb:

2 tsp. Oregano

2 tsp. Basil

2 tbsp. Ground Thyme

1 tsp. Whole Thyme

2 tsp. Savory

2 tsp. Ground Marjoram

½ tsp. Whole Marjoram

2 tbsp. Ground Sumac

½ cup- Sesame seeds, toasted

1 ½ tsp. Salt

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup olive oil

Method:

Make the Dough:

1. Place the water in a large bowl.

2. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, sprinkle the sugar on top and let sit for 10 minutes, or until the yeast begins to foam.

3. Mix in the salt and half the flour. Add the rest of the flour one cup at a time, just until the dough holds together. Knead the dough well (either by hand or in a standing mixer), adding flour as necessary until the dough is smooth and shiny. You may need more or less flour than called for in the recipe.

4. Put the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl to rise, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a dish towel, and put it in a warm spot. Let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Preheat the oven to 500°F.

6. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and pat each piece into a 6” round flatbread.

7. Place the flatbreads on baking sheets with rims; 6 dough rounds fit on a half-sheet pan. Use your fingers to dimple the tops of each flatbread. Let the flatbreads rest for 20 minutes.

Make the Za’atar herb:

1. Grind the oregano, basil, savory, marjoram and thyme in a spice grinder or blender, making sure it’s free of sticks and stems.

2. Put the herbs in a glass jar with a tight sealing lid.

3. Add the sumac, sesame seeds, zest of lemon and salt and shake well to thoroughly combine.

4. Mix together the olive oil and Za’atar Herb.

5. Dimple the flatbreads one more time. Divide the topping between the flatbreads, about 1 tbsp. each, and spread it evenly over the flatbreads’ tops.

6. Bake the flatbreads, one baking sheet at a time, for 8-10 minutes, or until the flatbreads are golden. Serve immediately.