Zatar bread (or manakish or manakeesh) is the basic flatbread that is an essential component of Mediterranean food. It is a great addition to your diet because it is healthy, low in calories and can be consumed in so many ways. If you are wondering what all this fuss over zatar bread is about or have never tried it, here are a few wonderful ways to enjoy it:

Cheese

You can enjoy zatar bread with almost any kind of cheese. A few ways to have it are given below:

• Place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of some zatar bread.
• Make a grilled cheese sandwich by buttering the outside of 2 slices of zatar bread, putting a slice of the cheese of your choice between the slices of bread and grilling until golden brown.
• Top a thick slice of the bread with mozzarella and sliced tomatoes, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and bake until the cheese melts.

Hummus

This is the true Mediterranean way to enjoy the bread.

• Simply dip the bread in hummus and enjoy a light healthy snack.
• Spread hummus on the zatar bread and top with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions or whatever you want.
• Make a sandwich by spreading hummus on 2 pieces of zatar bread and using chicken, lamb or vegetables as filling.

Red Pepper Dip

Make a dip of roasted red peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, chili flakes and bread crumbs. Dip the zatar in it and enjoy. Modify the quantities and alter the ingredients to suit your personal preferences. This dip is also great with potato chips and as a side dish to spice up meats.

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Also Read: The Great Halal Meat Myth 

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Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade is very easy to make and recipes are available online. Try a few until you find the one you like the most. Once you have your recipe in place:

• Spread it on zatar bread and you have a quick and delicious snack. Add some raw vegetables to provide another layer of flavor.
• Make a sandwich of 2 pieces of zatar bread with tapenade spread on them and a filling of the cheese of your choice.

With a Salad

Make a salad of your choice and place a helping of it on top of a slice of zatar bread. The bread adds another dimension of flavor and makes the snack more filling. A slice of cold chicken or fish can be placed on top of the salad to make it a hearty meal.

With Soups and Stews

If you are tired of bread rolls and bread sticks to accompany your soup, try zatar bread instead. It goes great with any kind of soup, hot or cold.

With Eggs

Zatar bread is a great replacement for the usual bread or toast that accompanies so many egg dishes.

Once you start using zatar bread, you will find many other ways by which it can be used either as a snack or to just enliven a meal. The only limitation is your imagination. You can get zatar bread at a Mediterranean grocery store like Aladdin Gourmet in San Mateo.

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