Cheese manakish

Name: Cheese manakish
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Levantine
Ingredients: 3 cups flour; 1 tablespoon instant yeast; 1 teaspoon sugar and salt; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 cup warm water; 400 grams Akkawi cheese with string cheese; to taste nigella seeds

Dough discs topped with melted cheese and browned edges — a sister to the za'atar man'ousheh that children love.

Vegetarian

Cooking time: 1 hr 30 min
Hands-on time: 30 min
Free time: 45 min
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Levantine
Calories: 460
Contains: Gluten, Dairy

Every neighborhood oven has its fixed morning formula: the grown-ups take za'atar, the children take cheese. Melted, browned cheese needs no persuading — only to reach the table fresh.

Before you start

Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the fire or oven.
Rising and the ovenAllow enough time for the dough to rise, and preheat the oven fully before the tray goes in.

Ingredients

6people

Amounts follow the number of people

For the dough

3 cups flour — Sifted, then spooned lightly into the cup
1 tablespoon instant yeast — Instant, and within its use-by date
1 teaspoon sugar and salt — Add gradually, tasting as you go
1/4 cup olive oil — extra-virgin
1 cup warm water — approximately

For the topping

400 grams Akkawi cheese with string cheese — De-salted, grated
to taste nigella seeds — An optional sprinkle

When increasing the quantity, knead in two batches and leave space between the pieces in the tray so that they rise evenly.

Equipment

Kneading bowl — Big enough for the dough once it has risen.
Baking tray — At 220°, leaving a thin rim with no cheese on it.

Method

Knead the dough and let it rise.
45 minYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
It has doubled in size.
Tip: Place the dough in a warm place away from drafts and cover it well.
Roll out the dough into discs and press down in the center, then spread the cheese, leaving a thin edge.
5 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The ingredients are spread in an even, tidy layer.
Tip: Smooth the surface gently without applying excessive pressure so that the texture remains light.
Bake it at 220°.
10 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The cheese has melted with golden spots on top, and the edges are toasted.
Tip: Preheat the oven and monitor the color in the last few minutes.