The spice mixture on this flat bread is my version of a spice blend used in the Middle East, called Za'atar. It's a great seasoning to use on meats and vegetables too.

Recipe by Christine Cushing

DIRECTIONS FOR: GRILLED FLAT BREAD

INGREDIENTS

Spice Mix

2 tsp sumac, ground (10 ml)

2 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted (30 ml)

1 ½ Tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme, pat dry any excess moisture (22 ml)

½ tsp cumin seeds (2 ml)

2 tsp finely chopped fresh marjoram, pat dry any excess moisture (10 ml)

1 tsp coarse salt (5 ml)

Flat Bread

1 tsp sugar (5 ml)

1 cup warm water (250 ml)

½ cup plain yoghurt, full fat (125 ml)

1 envelope (1/4-ounce) active dry yeast (8 grams)

1 cup whole wheat bread flour (250 ml)

3 ½ cup unbleached white bread flour (875 ml)

2 tsp salt (10 ml)

3 Tbsp olive oil (45 ml)

Olive oil, for oiling the bowl and brushing the dough

Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill

DIRECTIONS

Spice Mix

1. Pat the thyme and marjoram dry. Add the sumac, sesame seeds, thyme, cumin seeds, marjoram and coarse salt to a small bowl. Mix until well combined. Set spice mix aside until ready to sprinkle on the flat bread.

Flat Bread

1. In a medium bowl whisk sugar, water and yogurt. Stir in the yeast. Let stand until slightly foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the wheat flour and 1 cup of the white flour. Keep stirring until batter begins to form. Cover and let the batter stand in warm place until doubles in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

2. Sprinkle the batter with the salt and then the oil. Sprinkle about 1 ¼ cup of the remaining flour. Turn onto well-floured surface. Knead the mixture into a dough, adding more flour as the dough becomes too sticky to work. Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Depending on the humidity, the amount of flour added to the dough will vary.

3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let dough rest until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

4. Preheat grill to high. Carefully clean the grill and brush with well oil so the bread doesn’t stick to the grill. Brush a large baking sheet with oil.

5. Punch down the dough. Divide into 6 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a circle or rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Brush off excess flour on the dough.

6. Lightly brush both sides of the dough with olive oil. Using both your hands, gently transfer the dough onto the oiled baking sheet. Carefully transfer each piece of dough onto the grill. Cook bread in batches if all the dough pieces don’t fit on the grill. Grill dough until crisp and golden on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes grilling time per side. Brush bread lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with spice mix to taste. Serve. Makes 6 flat breads.