One of the most Israeli ingredients is Za’atar. It has a unique scent and special taste, and is added to many Israeli dishes and pastries. The following recipe is for Za’atar pita bread, which is the most common pastry in an Israeli dinner. It’s easy to make and you’re gonna love it.
Photo: Natalie Levin
Za’atar Pita Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 kg. All-purpose flour
- 10 grams active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. fine salt
- 500-600 ml. water
Topping:
- Za’atar and olive oil to taste
- In a bowl of a mixer with a dough-hook put flour, yeast, sugar, salt and about 450 ml. of water and knead for 10-13 minutes, until the dough is uniform, flexible and pliable. If needed, add a little more water while kneading.
- Cover the dough and let rise for about 1 hour until doubled in volume.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into 20 pieces.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a thin circle and place on an oven pan lined with baking paper.
- Generously brush each pita with olive oil and sprinkle with za’atar to taste.
- Cover and let rise for about 15-20 minutes until pitas swell slightly.
- Preheat oven to 200c degrees.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden.
- Serve immediately.
- The pitas are at their best on the day of baking.
- You can add chopped nuts into the topping and season with any other spice you like.