Description
Cheese Manakish is a traditional Lebanese snack featuring a soft, flavorful dough topped with a blend of creamy Queso Blanco, stretchy mozzarella, and optional toppings like spinach and ground beef. Baked to golden perfection, these cozy manakish are perfect for a savory breakfast, snack, or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup Queso Blanco
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon zaatar
Additional Toppings (Optional)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup ground beef, cooked
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, olive oil, and salt until a sticky dough forms. Knead this dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic, which ensures a nice texture in the final product.
- Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This resting period helps develop the dough’s airy, soft character.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Divide the risen dough into equal-sized balls and gently flatten each into circles about 5-6 inches in diameter. Create a small dip in the center of each circle to hold the cheese filling.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture and Assemble: Mix the Queso Blanco, mozzarella, and zaatar together for a flavorful cheese topping. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of this mixture into the center of each dough circle, making sure to leave approximately a 1-inch border around the edges free of filling.
- Bake: Place the assembled manakish on greased baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes or until the dough is lightly golden and crispy on the bottom, and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the manakish cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best flavor experience, optionally topped with fresh spinach or cooked ground beef for added texture and taste.
Notes
- Make sure to use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast properly.
- Allowing the dough to rise fully is key to a soft and airy texture.
- You can substitute Queso Blanco with other soft white cheeses like feta or ricotta if unavailable.
- The cheese topping can be customized with additional herbs or spices to suit your taste.
- Optional toppings such as spinach and cooked ground beef add nutritional value and variety.
- Serve immediately after cooling slightly for best texture and flavor.
