Manakish (Arabic Bread with Indian Flavour - Fusion Style)

          Manakish is a very popular Arabic bread made of plain flour and is topped with Zaatar  (Middle Eastern Spice) and cheese. It is generally had as breakfast with olives, cucumbers and tomatoes. They are also served for the main course with meat, hummus and salads. It is almost similar to Pizza. 

           Today I gave a twist to the original recipe and made it with whole wheat flour and topped with some Idli podi (gun powder) and cheese - a la Indian style. It is very easy to make and they go well as snacks with hummus. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy delicacy.

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. olive oil to knead 
• 1 tsp. active yeast
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. zaatar spice mix
• 3 tbsp. grated cheese
• 2 tbsp. idli podi
• olive oil as required

          In a bowl, mix together yeast, sugar and lukewarm water. Cover and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.

          In another bowl, take flour and salt to taste. Make a well in the center and add 1 tbsp. oil. Combine everything well and add the yeast liquid. knead into a dough. Cover with a cling film and keep aside for an hour. 

          Meanwhile in separate individual bowls, mix together zaatar and idli podi with some olive oil and keep aside.

          Divide the dough into 6-7 equal portions. Roll out each portion with your hands into a small round disc. You can also roll the same by dusting some flour.

          Spread the zaatar mix, idli podi mix and the cheese on it according to your preference. 

          Bake in a preheated microwave oven at 180 degrees C for 12-15 minutes (depending on your oven). Serve with hummus, any dip or just relish as it is.

                   Mix yeast, sugar & lukewarm water. Cover & keep aside for 10-15 min.

                                  After 15 minutes it has swelled up.

                  In separate bowls, mix zaatar & idli podi with some olive oil & keep aside.

                 In another bowl, take flour & salt to taste. Make a well in the center & add
                 1 tbsp. oil. 

                                  Combine everything well. 

                                 Add yeast liquid & knead into a dough. 

                                 Cover with a cling film & keep aside for an hour. 

                                 After an hour it has doubled in size.

                  Divide the dough into 6-7 equal portions. Roll out each portion with your hands
                  into a small round disc. You can also roll the same by dusting some flour.

                                  Spread the zaatar mix, idli podi mix & cheese.

                              Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for 12-15 minutes.

                                 Serve with hummus or just relish as it is.

Zaatar Macaroni - Fusion Style

          Here is a delicious macaroni cooked in the Italian-Mediterranean fusion style, where I have used zaatar and sumac - local Middle Eastern spices. It can be prepared in a jiffy and can be had as an evening tea-time snack. This flavorful dish can also be had as a light breakfast or can be packed for a lunch box meal too.

• 1/2 cup macaroni, boiled al dente
• 2 tbsp. spring onions, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. zaatar powder (Mediterranean spice mix)
• 1/2 tsp. sumac powder (Mediterranean spice mix)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• few olives (opt)

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic till it changes colour. Then add the onions and fry till translucent.

          Now add the boiled macaroni, pepper, salt, zaatar and sumac. Stir for a minute or two. Serve, garnished with chopped spring onions and olives.

Zaatar Paratha (Mediterranean Fusion Flat Bread)

       
          This Zaatar Paratha is just as yummy as any other stuffed parathas. Zaatar is a Mediterranean spice of sesame seeds and thyme that is very much used in Middle Eastern cuisine as a meat marination or as a spread on breads. This fusion version of mine can be best enjoyed  with yoghurt, butter or some pickle.

• 1 & 1/4 cup atta (wheat flour)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• 1/4 cup zaatar (Mediterranean spice mix)
• 4 tbsp. olive oil
• oil to shallow fry

          Mix together the zaatar spice with 3 tbsp oil into a paste and keep aside. Knead the atta along with the salt, 1 tbsp. oil and enough water into a stiff dough. Keep aside for 20 minutes.

          Divide the dough into equal portions. Roll out each portion into a circle just like a chapatti. Spread a little of the zaatar spice mix and fold into half. 

          Spread again some of the spice paste and again fold into a triangle. Roll out into a paratha and keep aside. 

          Make similar parathas out of the dough and the zaatar spice. Heat a tawa and fry one paratha at a time with 1 tbsp. of oil till light brown on both sides. Serve hot with butter, yoghurt or pickle.

Zaatari Gavar Bhaji (Cluster Beans Curry with Zaatar Masala)

       
           This time I decided to try another way of preparing Gavar vegetable (cluster beans). So I went ahead and cooked in the Mediterranean style, by adding Zaatar spice mix. It tasted completely different from the usual curries. In simple terms, it was just awesome. It goes best with chapatis or parathas. 

• 400 gms. Gavar (cluster beans), chopped into 1" pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. zaatar spice mix
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves

          Steam the gavar till soft. Keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and temper with cumin seeds. 

         Then add the onion, garlic and green chilies and fry till the onions turn translucent.

          Now add the gavar, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder and sauté on low flame for 2-3 minutes. Add the zaatar spice mix and lime juice and mix well.

          Take it off the fire after a minute and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve as a side dish with any Indian bread.

Zaatari Bell Peppers Stir Fry

         
          
          I experimented by using zaatar, a Middle Eastern spice mix to dish out this bell pepper stir fry. Generally, this spice is used in the cooking of meat based dishes and on Arabic breads. But the use of zaatar turned the dish quite delicious and you can enjoy it with paratha or naan.

• 3-4 assorted Bell peppers, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1" ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. zaatar powder
• coriander leaves to garnish

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with cumin seeds. Then add the onion, garlic, ginger and the green chilies and saute till light brown.

          Add the chopped bell peppers, salt and turmeric powder and stir fry, covered on low flame for 10-15 minutes.

          Towards the end, add the zaatar powder and mix well. serve, garnished with coriander leaves. Have it with any Indian bread.