Zatar bread

 Zatar is  the name for a condiment made from the dried herbs, mixed with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices. Used in Arab cuisine, both the herb and spice mixture are popular throughout the Middle East.

 zatar is high in anti-oxidants.Zatar is traditionally dried in the sun and mixed with salt, sesame seeds and sumac. It is commonly eaten with pita(bread), which is dipped in olive oil and then zatar. When the dried herb is moistened with olive oil, the spread is known as zatar-wu-zayt . 

This mixture spread on a dough base and baked as a bread, produces manakeesh bi zaatar(zatar bread). Zatar is used as a seasoning for meats and vegetables or sprinkled onto hummus. It is also eaten with labneh (yogurt drained to make a tangy, creamy cheese), and bread and olive oil for breakfast.

This is one of the most popular and readily  available breakfasts on the go ,after  shawarma if you are going for a veg option .Its easily available in any supermarket or grocery stores.

Lets start baking ...............

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups  all purpose flour(apf) / maida
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup olive oil 
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp  instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp zatar
• 4 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
• water if needed 

METHOD

1. Warm up the milk to luke warm for 30 secs in a microwave or on a stove top .
2. Mix yeast,sugar ,olive oil and give a nice stir .
3. Make a well in the apf,add salt and add half the milk mixture.
4. Knead it and continue followed by the remaining milk mixture,to make a soft dough.
5. Take the dough on the work surface and knead it for 5 8 mints .
6. Place the dough in a big bowl and cover it  with cling film and allow it to ferment for  1- 2 hrs until it doubles in size .
7. Once it doubles  ,punch it down to remove the air and knead it once again for 2 mints .
8. Using a rolling pin roll it into a big circle and cut it into small circles of palm size using a cutter or a small plate .
9. You can even make small balls of the dough and roll it .
10. Line the tray with baking paper , arrange the dough circles on it and cover it with a cling film or damp cloth and allow it to rise in double the size for about 1 hr.
11. Preheat the oven at 200 c .
12. Mix zatar and olive oil in bowl and spread it over the bread with the back of a spoon .
13. Bake it at 200 c for 15 mints .
14. Serve it with your tea or coffee.

NOTES

1. If you are using dry yeast then proof it for 10 mints and continue with the procedure .
2. Using a cutter or a plate to cut the circles ensures uniform bread.
3. Second time rise after cutting circles gives fluffier bread ,so do not skip .
4. If you require some more water to knead add in tbsp by tbsp .
5. Every oven has different temperatures so keep an eye after 10 minutes

Yummily,



Linking this to ."Delectable Flavours Giveaway Event".