Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the highest heat setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.
Special equipment
grill, stand mixer or food processor
Notes
For a much quicker, easier version, use store-bought flatbreads reheated on the grill until crisp and blistered on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Brush with olive oil and za’atar as directed. Labne is a Middle Eastern strained yogurt that can be found in most high-end grocery stores, such as Whole Foods, or in specialty markets. If unavailable, use strained Greek yogurt instead. Store-bought pre-mixed za’atar can be used in place of the homemade version. Use 1/2 cup total. If using commercial za’atar, salt content will vary; adjust according to taste. If you cannot find sumac, add 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest to the mixture in its place.
