Zaatar bread is a type of Middle Eastern flatbread that is popular throughout the region. This delicious and versatile bread can be served as a snack, breakfast, or accompaniment to any meal. Zaatar bread is made with flavorful ingredients such as Zaatar spice blend, olive oil, and lemon juice. This recipe yields one large loaf of Zaatar bread that will serve 6-8 people
Ingredients:
- – 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- – 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- – 1 teaspoon salt
- – 1/4 cup Zaatar spice blend
- – 1/4 cup olive oil
- – 1 teaspoon sugar
- – 3/4 cup warm water (110°F)
- – 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl stir together the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, salt, Zaatar spice blend, sugar and mix until combined. Add in the olive oil and warm water and use a wooden spoon to combine into a dough. Knead the dough in the bowl for 10 minutes or on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Grease the inside of a large bowl with some olive oil, place the dough inside and cover tightly with plastic wrap or damp towel. Let it rise in a warm place away from drafts for an hour or two until it doubles in size.
2. Punch down the dough to release air before shaping into the desired shape of Zaatar bread – either round or oblong shaped loaves like pita breads. Divide dough into two equal pieces if making round loaves; three equal pieces if making longer oval shaped loaves like pita breads; then shape each portion as desired using your hands to flatten them slightly on a lightly greased baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover again with plastic wrap or damp towel and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes – this will give Zaatar bread its signature fluffy texture once baked!
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Once Zaatar loaves have doubled in size again, brush them liberally with olive oil and sprinkle some extra Zaatar spice blend overtop if desired. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden brown and fragrant; turning halfway through baking time if needed to ensure even cooking on both sides of Zaatar loafs – they should sound hollow when tapped on underside when done! Let cool completely before slicing into wedges or strips depending on your preference of presentation – enjoy!