178. Zaatar Swirl Buns

You didn't think I don't have Manal's cookbook now did you???
Manal, for lack of a better example, is the Arab Martha Stewart. It was her televised cooking show all those years ago that gave me the confidence to dwell in the realm of the cooking world.
So this recipe is simple enough: a wonderfully luscious dough is spread with olive oil and zaatar, rolled, cut into 12 discs, and baked into a muffin pan. Simple and delicious. Simply delicious.
I have already featured some Manal recipes in this blog, and have plans for more.
(Some Manal recipes: Pistachio Mafrooka, Fish Parcels , Kubba Halab , Mini Pizza, Chicken Profiteroles, Chicken Roast With Vegetables, Qoozi # 1, Qoozi # 2)

Ingredients:

For the dough:
2 1/2 cups flour
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp powdered milk
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp yeast
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup plain yogurt

For the filling:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup zaatar

Method:

In a stand mixer bowl with dough (S) attachment, put the flour, powdered milk, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
Put on for a few seconds to mix the ingredients.
In a beaker, whisk the yeast and the warm water until the yeast is dissolved.
Whisk in the oil and the yogurt.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and beat continuously for 5 minutes until smooth and cleans the sides of the bowl.
Form the dough into a ball, oil lightly, and cover in a warm place until doubled in size (45 mins to 1 hour).

Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 10 inches by 12 inches.
Brush entire surface with olive oil.
Sprinkle on the zaatar, pressing in gently with your hand.
Roll into a log, starting from the longer side.
Cut log into 12 discs (halve, quarter, then each quarter into 3 discs).
Place the discs in a muffin or cupcake tin (one per hole).
Cover, let rise another half hour.

Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
May be served warm or room-temperature.

 صحة و عافية