Instructions: CAUTION: Instead of using charcoal grill, I baked the bread in our Kitchen Aid electric oven. The oven should be preheated for at least 30 minutes and its helpful to use a pizza peel or quarry tiles placed on the upper section of the oven closest to heat source. Place rack 1 position up from the middle. Oven tends to get extremely hot and having to leave the door ajar during broiling can cause the dials to become extremely hot. Because I use a pizza peel thats only 14 inches round I could only bake one loaf at a time. If your using movable quarry tiles perhaps you can bake more than one loaf at a time.

ANOTHER PROBLEM: Fortunately we have many Middle-Eastern groceries in the DC area, in particular, a Lebanese deli and grocery so obtaining the zaatar was no problem for me. Unfortunately I dont know where you can order this mix and I have no idea how one could make it from scratch unless you know all of the ingredients. Perhaps someone on the list has knowledge of a mail-order source. Believe me this bread is worth the search. Zaatar Flatbread

TOPPING: Stir together all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Whisk together the yeast, water, and sugar. Stir in the oil, the all-purpose flour and most of the bread flour, then the salt. Mix to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, till its elastic and supple, adding additional flour as needed.

Place the dough in a large, well-greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel, and let rise until doubled. Alternatively, allow the dough a long, cool rise in the fridge, several hours or overnight (or up to 3 days). Bring the dough to room temperature before shaping; itll rise as it warms up.

Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Stretch or roll the pieces into irregular slabs, and let rest for 15 minutes, covered with a tea towel. Spread some olive oil/zaatar mixture onto each piece of dough.

Preheat the grill to its hottest temperature. Place the flatbreads gently on the grill. Cover and bake for 1 to 2 minutes, then check for doneness. Allow to bake until the tops begin to brown. Brush with additional topping if desired, and remove from the grill.

[SERVE IMMEDIATELY, IF POSSIBLE jtr]

YIELD: 8 large, irregular-shaped flatbreads

*Available at Lebanese Tavern Market, Old Dominion Drive, Arlington, VA

NOTES : "This is just about my favorite flatbread, good alone, with a generous smear of hummus or Lebanese yogurt, or simply topped with fresh tomatoes, salt, pepper, and olive oil. You can make your own zaatar spice, or look for it in Middle Eastern markets, if you live in an urban area that features a good selection of ethnic food stores." King Arthur Flour Co.

I made the most wonderful flatbread the other day and decided this was a recipe worthy of the list. I have included the original recipe from the King Arthur Flour Co. plus one that cuts the recipe in half. At the end of the recipes are my notes in preparing this bread.

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