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

FAQs

What is Lebanese flatbread made of? ›

This recipe is a flatbread that's somewhere between a Middle Eastern-style pita and an Indian naan. Like most leavened breads, this one consists primarily of flour, water and yeast. And, like any leavened bread, it requires some rising, though no more than an hour.

The man'oushé is a typical Lebanese breakfast. This classic flatbread, about 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter, is named for the Arabic word n'ash, referring to the way the baker's fingertips “engrave” the dough to keep the bread from bubbling in the very hot oven.

Pita bread is typically cut into half and eaten stuffed with filling, “pocket” style. Lebanese Khubz or Khuboos is torn into pieces, and wrapped around food to pick it up and eat. It's typically eaten with stews and curry like dishes which can also be mopped up with flatbread.

Let me make a little clarification before we start, there is a difference between "Lebanese bread" and "Lebanese pita bread" in our house. Traditional Lebanese bread is an unleavened (without leavening, or yeast) that is baked in a special oven. It is very thin and it is not pita bread, nor does it have pockets.

Pita bread

It is thin and puffs up as it bakes. Since it does not contain any added fat, it dries out rapidly and is best consumed while still warm; later, it may become chewy. The "pocket" pita originated in the Middle East. It is also known as Arab(ic) bread, Lebanese bread, or Syrian bread.

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'.

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.

Manakish, also manaeesh or in singular form man'ousheh is a popular middle eastern food consisting of dough topped with herbs, spices, cheese, or ground meat. Similar to a pizza, it can be sliced or folded, and it can either be served for breakfast or lunch.

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.

What is the Lebanese word for breakfast? ›

The Arabic word for breakfast is pronounced fuTuur and written ﻓُﻄُﻮﺭ.

Traditional Manoosh is often smaller than a traditional pizza, allowing for easy folding, and the dough can either be rolled very thin or kept thick for smaller servings. Small villages would have bakeries dedicated to cooking manoosh and families often boast they have the best recipes.

Good news is, pita bread will store well for a few days in an air-tight bag. Warm it up in your oven or toaster oven or even over open flame. You can freeze pita bread for later use!

Traditionally, flatbread is basically unleavened bread, which is made without yeast. Flour, water, and salt are the main ingredients. It's rolled out flat and cooked, usually in a brick oven. While it originated in ancient Egypt, many cultures have versions of flatbread.

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

It's a healthy choice in the bread category. It is a rich supply of protein and carbohydrates. Moreover, it contains reasonable quantities of vitamin B, selenium and manganese that work together as antioxidants. Plus, Pita bread is low in calories and a top-notch source of iron.

Pita bread is lower in calories than other types of bread and is often made with a combination of regular and whole wheat flour, making it a good source of whole grains and rich in dietary fiber.

A flatbread is bread made usually with flour; water, milk, yogurt, or other liquid; and salt, and then thoroughly rolled into flattened dough. Many flatbreads are unleavened, although some are leavened, such as pita bread.