Thread by @BaytAlFann

Manakeesh is a flat baked dough with toppings. It is part of the Levant region cuisine, comprising Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine & Syria. Manakeesh evolved to be the one of the most beloved foods of the region, especially in Lebanon

To celebrate World Mankoushe Day a thread…

1/ Manakeesh is also known as “Manoush”, “Manaeesh”, and “Mankoushe”. Manoush came from the Arabic word “Manqushah”, which means “carve-out” or to stamp or decorate, which refers to the indentations made with fingers while flattening the dough for the toppings

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2/ There is not much known about the origins of Manakeesh. However, the first known recordings of this dish was found in an Arabian cookbook which dates back to the 10th century.

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3/ Traditionally, women would bake dough in the morning in a communal oven to feed their family, and with that, they would make small portions of dough using different toppings for breakfast. From here, the recipe evolved into the famous Manakeesh.

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4/ Baked briefly in the oven, Manakeesh are both chewy and crispy. They may be served warm or cooled and are especially delicious alongside creamy labneh cheese, salty olives, and a few fresh bites of cucumber.

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5/ The process of making Manakeesh or Mankoushe

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6/ Over time, Manakeesh has become one of the most important foods of the Levant region. Some toppings include minced lamb, mutton or beef, spinach, veggies, yogurt, Za’atar, and cheese.

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7/ The most popular Manakeesh uses Za’atar as a topping. Za'atar is a culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, as well as other spices.

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8/ Cheese (Arabic: جبنة, jubnah) is another popular topping for Manakeesh - especially Akawi cheese. It is also often eaten for breakfast

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9/ Minced lamb Manakeesh (لحم بعجين, laḥm bi-‘ajīn) is often served for lunch because of its heavier contents. This popular Manakeesh has a minced lamb topping mixed with tiny pieces of diced tomato & vegetable oil - optionally served with pickles & yogurt

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10/ Manakish can be prepared pizza-style with a variety of fancy toppings. These may include cheese, meat (beef or turkey), mushrooms, labneh, cheese with honey, or chocolate with bananas.

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11/ The question of whether Manakeesh or Pizza was invented first is still subject to debate today. Since tomatoes were not yet discovered in Ancient Rome at the time when people were spreading thyme & olive oil on flatbread in the Middle East, Manakeesh might have come first.

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