There's a very popular Arabic snack called manakish. It is a Levantine food that originated in Lebanon. It is similar to a pizza but the bread is paper-thin flat. Classic toppings are thyme (za'atar), cheese (jubna), and minced meat (lamb eat). These days, there are a variety of manakish toppings like potato, curry and spinach.
Well, I had the great honor of meeting Abu Ashraf who comes from the third generation of manakish makers in Syria. Learning from his father, he is now teaching his sons the art of making manakish.
First, he showed us the siopao-like doughs. It went into an automated roller so it came out small and flat. Then it went into it the second time so it got flatter and bigger. Abu Ashraf stretched it a bit and threw it to the next counter for toppings. He had this basin of akkawi cheese which he spread all over the dough. After a few seconds, he put it in the stone oven lined up with high fire on both sides. He made three more kinds which are tomato with a tinge of chili, za'atar, and minced meat. All these were done under ten minutes!
Manakish is best eaten while it's hot partnered with cool 7-Up or Pepsi for a smooth slide down the throat. Ooooh soooo yummylicious! I don't think anyone could resist a freshly baked bread served hot right in front of you and straight from the oven. It is like tasting a piece of heaven. Zaid! (Arabic for 'alright')
