Description
Cheese Manakish is a classic Lebanese snack featuring a soft, chewy dough topped with a blend of creamy Queso Blanco and stretchy mozzarella cheese. This cozy treat is baked to golden perfection, delivering melty, cheesy goodness with every bite. Optional toppings like zaatar, fresh spinach, and cooked ground beef add layers of flavor, making it a versatile snack perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 cup Queso Blanco
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon zaatar
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup ground beef (cooked beforehand)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, olive oil, and salt. Mix until a sticky dough forms, then knead for about 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, ensuring proper gluten development for a soft texture.
- Let the Dough Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This fermentation step is crucial for lightness and flavor.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the proper baking temperature while you prepare the dough balls and toppings.
- Shape the Manakish: Divide the risen dough into equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball into a circle about 5-6 inches in diameter. Use your fingers to create a slight dip in the center of each circle, which will hold the cheese filling.
- Add the Cheese Mixture: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture, combining Queso Blanco and mozzarella, into the center of each dough circle. Leave roughly a 1-inch border around the edges to keep the filling contained during baking.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the prepared manakish on greased baking sheets, spacing them comfortably. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, or until the dough turns a light golden color and becomes crispy underneath, and the cheese melts beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the manakish from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm to enjoy the cheesy, melty snack at its best. Optionally, garnish with zaatar, fresh spinach, or cooked ground beef for added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute Queso Blanco with other mild cheeses like ricotta or feta for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure the water for yeast activation is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use only spinach or zaatar toppings.
- The dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated for a slower rise, which enhances flavor.
- Use a pizza stone if available to get a crispier bottom crust.
