Move beyond the meat and make the most out of grilling season this year with fresh recipes from around the world! Our friend, Hanan from @Ohmygoodiescc shared the easiest vegetarian zaatar flatbread recipe for you to try this summer. Experience new flavors with fresh ingredients in this easy to make meal.

When I think back to my childhood, one of the memories that stands out the most was waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread on a Sunday morning. My mom would always prep the dough and let it rest overnight. Come Sunday morning, she was baking up a storm! Meat pies, cheese pies, pita bread – you name it, she made it. My all-time favorite though were the zaatar pies. They’re actually still one of my favorites to this day and one of the reasons I developed this delicious Zaatar Tomato Flatbread Recipe.

EXPERIENCE UNIQUE FLAVORS –

Zaatar has a very unique flavor profile. It’s made with a blend of dried oregano, dried thyme, dried marjoram, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds. It’s nutty, earthy, and tangy, all at the same time. It’s perfect to add to salads like Fattoush, but in my opinion, it’s best when grilled on warm bread topped with tomatoes, fresh mint, oregano and served with labneh (pressed yogurt). The tanginess of the zaatar pairs so well with the sweet flavor of Pure Flavor® Oriana® Orange Grape Tomatoes. They’re so juicy and delicious and add such a fresh element to this dish. They just pop on top of a zaatar flatbread and make it a complete vegetarian meal. The color of the tomatoes is so bright and beautiful it’s like your adding hints of summer on top of your meal. I’m always trying to think of ways to squeeze more greenhouse grown vegetables into my kids meals and this flat bread makes it easy! Load as many fresh tomatoes on top to add tons of flavor. Meals on the grill don’t have include meat to be delicious and nutritious, and when you try this one it will speak for itself.

EASY TO CREATE –

As much as I love baking, sometimes you need something quick. As soon as the weather gets warmer we’re usually pretty busy running between soccer games and piano lessons so time doesn’t always allow for fresh bread. This is why I love to use pre-made flatbreads. They make for such quick meals when we’re on the go. And really, you can’t get any easier than using zaatar. You just mix up the spice blend with some olive oil and spread it over your flatbread, grill it and top with fresh ingredients.

This meal is perfect for warm weather because this flatbread is cooked flawlessly on the grill. This zaatar flatbread is ideal for warmer nights when you’re on a time crunch and you don’t want to heat up the house. I always try to avoid turning the oven on in the spring and summer. Normally zaatar is baked in a wood oven but I always throw it on the grill for ease and to add extra flavor. Make sure to keep the grill on a lower temperate and keep an eye on it to avoid burning your bread. The char of the grill To top it all off, Labneh is also a must as it gives it that pop of creamy freshness.  

MAKE YOUR OWN LABNEH

Labneh is a Middle Eastern pressed yogurt. You can purchase this pre-made as well, but it’s so easy to make that you will most likely never want to buy it again! All you need is some 2% or full fat plain yogurt and a cheese cloth. If you’re looking for easy clean-up, or you don’t have any cheese cloths available, a few sheets of paper towel will also do the trick. The paper towel method is my favorite. Just place a few sheets in a strainer, pour in your plain yogurt and cover with another sheet of paper towel. Place your strainer over a bowl and refrigerate overnight. That’s it! The next day, you’ll have the creamiest labneh ready to go. All you need to do at this point is season it to taste. I like to keep it simple with just salt. Pro tip: Fresh greenhouse grown vegetables are also great for dipping into the labneh as a refreshing snack! 

Once the zaatar flatbread is grilled, all you need to do is slice it up, spread on a little labneh, top with fresh mint, oregano, thyme and of course heaps of Oriana® Orange Grape Tomatoes that have been halved. These fresh greenhouse grown tomatoes complete this meal plus add a great pop of color. For a traditional breakfast spread, serve with side of olives, Long English Cucumbers, green onions, and a cup of hot tea. It’s that easy! 

TRY SOMETHING NEW –

With the summer weather approaching and the grill out, there is a world full of flavors to be experienced. You might not realize it but there are so many vegetarian options that can be made very easily on the grill. Using fresh greenhouse grown vegetables can help elevate even the simplest of recipes and best of all they are available all year round. They not only make them a complete meal but help you sneak in some extra nutrients and vitamins into your day! Don’t be afraid to try out some new dishes on the barbeque this grilling season and make sure to top them off with some fresh greenhouse grown vegetables! 

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