Zaatar and fresh cottage cheese (paneer) fingers recipe is a Lebanese-inspired oven-baked appetizer that is savory, crunchy and incredibly easy to make with cottage cheese. If you enjoy paneer, then you must try this recipe.
Ingredients:
200g Fresh cottage cheese (paneer) block
12 to 15 square medium size spring roll sheets
1/2 cup zaatar powder
Small bowl of water for sealing edges
Olive oil for brushing
Labneh yogurt cheese for serving (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the oven on 180 degrees C for 10 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the cottage cheese block into slices about the size of your index finger
Arrange the spring roll sheets on a dry cutting board or other working surface and position them at an angle so that the corner of each sheet is closest to you.
Place a slice of the cottage cheese at an angle in the lower third of each spring roll sheet, and sprinkle some zaatar powder.
Fold the edges inward along the way.
Roll the sheet shut, adding a dab of extra water if needed. Press lightly to seal the edges together.
Place the stuffed spring rolls seal side down on the prepared baking dish.
Repeat with the remaining sheets until complete.
Brush the fingers lightly with olive oil.
Bake in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and crisped on the outside, about 10 minutes.
Take it out and again brush some olive oil and sprinkle some zaatar onto it.
Serve hot.
I usually serve it with Roasted Red bell pepper (couli) sauce and labneh yogurt cheese. You can also freeze the spring rolls before or after cooking them.
Indian Chef Chhaya Thakker, who has a huge following online on WhatsApp and YouTube will be sharing her favorite recipes and cooking tips with readers of The Times Kuwait. For feedback, you can write to editortimeskuwait@gmail.com