Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) are one of the most nutritious foods we can eat. Their culinary use is vast and today I want to share with you another wonderful use for them. These tiny legumes aren’t only for mashing into hummus or adding to soups or stews; Chickpeas are also ground into a fine powder and used just like one would any other type of flour.
In countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh this flour has long been a staple food. There it can be called either gram flour or besan, and it is also transformed into an amazing variety of foods. To make chickpea flour one uses dried chickpeas that may or may not be roasted before grinding into a fine powder. Apparently, roasting the legume before grinding yields a better flavour, whereas, not roasting can yield a slight bitterness. If you will be making your own make sure you have a very powerful tool to allow you to achieve a very fine flour.
In the previously mentioned countries, chickpea flour is used for making papadums, dosas, chilla pancake, Burmese tofu, cookies, and many more foods. Vegans love using this flour as an egg replacer. According to Hilda Jorgensen of Veganbaking.net “To replace one egg, use ¼ cup of chickpea flour and ¼ cup water or non-dairy milk.” For those with a gluten allergy, chickpea flour can easily be used in gluten-free baking. I have personally found that though it doesn’t work like regular (gluten) flours, it does work wonderfully for binding or holding it’s shape.
The use of this uber nutritious flour does not only happen in India and it’s surrounding neighbours, it’s also used across the Middle East and in Southern France and Italy. In both France and Italy chickpea flour is used for making a flat bread, which in Italy is know as farinata and in France as socca. Farinata or socca is made of chickpea flour, olive oil, water and some spices or additional flavourings may also be added. The process is quite similar but recipes can vary greatly. It doesn’t matter which recipe you choose to go with because the results are always delicious.
The first time I ever heard of or saw socca was on the kitchn’s website. They featured a scrumptious looking socca with spring pesto. I couldn’t resist the photos and set out to experiment. The traditional method of cooking socca or farinata is in the oven under the broiler setting. I choose to experiment and cook mine on the stove top — it’s not traditional but it’s what works for me, this is how I’ve been cooking socca for about one year.
- 1 cup or 160 gm chickpea flour
- large pinch of sea salt
- some ground black pepper
- ½ tsp granulated garlic
- large pinch oregano
- large pinch dried basil
- large pinch of ground cumin (saw this on David Lebovitzs recipe, it adds a slight smokiness)
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup or 250 ml water
- additional olive oil
- pesto
- fresh arugula leaves
- anchovies (I used spicy ones in chile oil)
- tomato
- Mix the chickpea flour with all of the seasonings until very well combined, pour in the water and olive oil and continue mixing until there are no lumps in the batter. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or for 2 hours — I always do the 2 hours.
- Heat a large iron skillet or non-stick pan, once it’s very hot pour in plenty of oil to coat all of the pan. Pour in the batter (or if small pan pour in half of the batter) and swirl around until the batter spreads evenly. Allow to cook until it becomes firm and pulls away from the skillet’s/pan’s sides. I like to now gently flip over and allow to cook for another 5 minutes in order to brown that side. BUT if you are using an iron-skillet you may place under the broiler and continue to cook until it browns. The other, or traditional, way of cooking socca is by heating the broiler and once very hot you pour oil into a large baking dish and pour in the batter. Place under the broiler until cooked through, firm and browned. It is up to you to use the method of your choice.
- Once the socca has cooked through, place on a plate or cutting board and allow to cool slightly. Next cut and serve as is OR spread the pesto and top with your toppings of choice before serving. I like to serve a side salad and a glass of wine with our socca for a complete meal.
• The batter may be prepared a day ahead and allowed to sit in the refrigerator until ready to use.
This socca recipe is quite simple, with only a few ingredients needed, the hardest part is the waiting for the batter that needs to sit for a while before being cooked. Feel free to add your favourite toppings or eat the flatbread as is. The taste is so unique and delicious! I love it and can never get enough of socca when I prepare it. I really hope you give this a try because I consider it to be a MUST try food for everyone. Enjoy!
Additional chickpea and socca reading:
How To make chickpea flour or besan flour: http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/tipsandtechniques/ht/How-To-Make-Chickpea-Gram-Flour.htm
Farinata Genovese (Genovese Chickpea Flatbread) by Memori di Angelina http://memoriediangelina.com/2013/06/23/farinata-genovese-genovese-chickpea-flatbread/
The Kitchn’s Socca Flatbread with Spring Pesto and Salad http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-socca-flatbread-with-spring-herbs-and-greens-recipes-from-the-kitchn-187301
Super Healthy Chocolate Orange Cake with Rich Chocolate Frosting (Vegan + GF) by Love Food Eat http://www.lovefoodeat.com/super-healthy-chocolate-orange-cake-with-rich-chocolate-frosting-vegan-gf/
CHOCOLATE AND CHICKPEA CUPCAKES WITH NUTELLA AND SOUR CREAM FROSTING-GLUTEN-FREE by Lucullian Delights http://www.luculliandelights.com/2010/02/chocolate-and-chickpea-cupcakes-with-nutella-and-sour-cream-frosting-gluten-free.html
Great primer on chickpea flour. I don’t often use it, and should — it’s so versatile. Love this socca, and the toppings are wonderful. Super post — thanks.
It really is a great flour, John. Thanks!
@SpicieFoodie it looks delicious! Next up panisse?
Now you’re making me hungry;)
Very informative post Nancy on chickpeas and its flour. I know I have tried it in many recipes went dining out but I have yet to buy any to try. I am curious now. And I saw the socca bread in passing about a year ago too. Like your take on it very much and LOVE the topping for the pizza.
Thank you Evelyne! I hope you give it a try, there are so many delicious foods to prepare with it.
This is seriously one beautiful pizza! Love the use of chickpeas!
Thanks so much Matt!
I have used besan/chickpea flour for Indian and Middle-Eastern dishes since my youth but did not realize it was also used in French cooking. Had never heard of socca, but that will be remedied quite quickly ;) ! LOve the sound of it!!
That’s great that you all ready familiar with besan, Eha. I’m sure you will love the socca and experimenting with different toppings. Thank you
This post was very informative Nancy!! Never knew that it can be used as an egg replacer. This recipe looKs out of the world!! Loved the flavors that went into it :)
Thank you Nandita! Have fun testing it out.
Your socca pizza looks absolutely scrumptious, Nancy! You know I’m a sucker for anything with anchovies. And thanks for the shout out. :=)
Thanks so much Frank, a great compliment coming from you.!:) My pleasure, I learned so much from you article.
I’ll take extra spicy anchovies, please! This looks delicious!
I second the extra anchovies!:)
this looks so good remember having these in Nice
Thanks Rebecca!
I never thought I liked chickpeas, but I have been cooking my own from dried lately and have fallen in love with them! This socca sounds very interesting. I’d love it for a unique dinner treat.
The freshly cooked ones are much better than the canned ones. I’m glad you are liking them now. Thank you, Laura, and I hope you give socca a try sometime.
I’ve never used chickpea flour but your socca pizza looks wonderful!
Thank you Laura!
When I made socca, I just served it plain! It was wonderful, but now I see how it can be even more incredible! Your pizza looks amazing!!! Have a wonderful weekend, Nancy!
The possibilities are endless, Liz. Thanks so much and you too!:)
Your Socca Pizza sounds great and your terrific photos make me want to head to the store for chickpea flour.
Thank you Karen, I hope you do give chickpea flour and socca a try soon.:)