I got a text from my friend saying, ‘You’ve GOT to make Socca – a naturally gluten free flatbread. My boys are obsessed with it!’
I’m always on the look out for this kind of recipe as the youngest is gluten & dairy free and all of us seem to be MUCH better off dairy anyway. Not to mention it uses gram flour (chickpea), making it an excellent source of protein!
The flatbreads reheat really well so you can make a big batch and then reheat them over the next week. I found this recipe over at thekitchn.com.
What you need:
(Makes 1 thick or 2 thin full sized socca)
- 1 cup (4 1/2 ounces) chickpea flour
- 1 cup (8 ounces) water
- 1 + 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional seasonings: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano), 1-2 cloves minced garlic, 1/8-1/2 teaspoon spice (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, za’atar)
What you do:
- Whisk everything together and let it sit for 1/2 – 2 hours to let the flour absorb all the water.
- Preheat your grill (ours is electric though I think a gas grill would give better blistering).
- Heat a large frying pan on the hob and then wipe a thin layer of oil (I use rice bran oil as it is nutritious and has a high smoking point) over the cooking surface…
- Pour in all of the batter for one thick socca or half of it to make two thinner ones.
- Tilt the pan so the batter is spread evenly across the surface.
- Place it under the grill until the batter is set and the surface blisters and browns.
- It should be flexible in the middle and crispy round the outside.
- Turn it out of the frying pan and either tear it up (if you have asbestos fingers), or cut it into slices or wedges.
The kids absolutely love it!
martyn says
This sounds delicious!! As they always do!! #bigfatlinky
International Elf Service says
Thanks Martyn and it’s great for on the go snacking too 🙂
everything mummy says
oo this sounds like a great idea so simple and would be a brilliant alternative to bread or pitta thanks for sharing on #sundaystars will save this one! x
International Elf Service says
Yes it’s brilliant for that! Do give it a go – it’s surprisingly tasty!
Emma says
I’ve got a big bag of chickpea flour in the cupboard from making falafel so I’ll have to try these. You so great at creating simple, freefrom recipes.
International Elf Service says
Oh thank you Emma, that’s really kind of you to say. Yes do give this a go – it’s very ‘un-gram floury’! I add smoked paprika to ours and it’s fab x
Domesticated Momster says
I have never heard of chickpea flour. Will have to check and see if it’s at the grocery store here. I bet it’s tasty with hummus which all of my little monsters love. Thanks again for sharing with #foodpornthursdays!
International Elf Service says
That’s exactly what our eldest said! ‘Ooh yummy – chickpea flatbread with chickpea humous!’
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
What a fantastic recipe!!! It’s so easy and sounds fabulous. I’m going to see if I can get chickpea flour here! Thanks so much for sharing with #foodpornthursdays
International Elf Service says
Another name for it is Gram flour – it should be in any supermarket!
Mother Mands says
I really like Socca, and found recipes similar for a gluten free, vegan style ‘omelette’. You add flaxseed to the water and don’t leave it as long, then add whatever vegetables, herbs, spices, etc. Really nice and really filling and like you say gluten free!
I changed a few recipes I found online, and this is how I make it, but there are a few different versions out there: http://www.mother-mands.co.uk/recipes/a-meatfreemonday-vegan-omelette/
International Elf Service says
Thank you for that – I’ll definitely look that up – the more ideas the better here! Hope you’re ok x
Jemma says
Sounds like a great recipe, I think my daughter has a gluten allergy so will be giving this a try. Thanks great post x
International Elf Service says
Hi Jemma – we’ve discovered they’re VERY filling (high protein) so they’re great for lunches / breakfast too. Have you had her checked for coeliac disease? I’d definitely recommend you do that before removing gluten from her diet. x
Jemma says
Shes under a dietician who is next to useless and she says shes to young to be tested, being only 15 months. She suffers with severe reflux and refuses alot of food so not able to remove anything from her diet even if I wanted to. At the moment we are just reducing what gluten and wheat we give her as that definitely helps but going mad at the moment from the lack of support from the hospital. She’s not loosing weight only because I’m working so hard to prevent it but it seems if she was loosing that’s the time they would step in and actively help (or criticise)
Donna says
This sounds great! I will definitely give it a go tomorrow. Anything that reheats well and lasts through the week is a huge plus in weekend food prep 🙂
International Elf Service says
I couldn’t agree more – the amount of time I spend in the kitchen…!
Luke Strickland says
This looks so tasty, we’ll definitely be trying this! Enjoyed connecting with your blog via the #bigfatlinky
International Elf Service says
Hi Luke – thanks for reading and commenting. It’s very delicious and filling. The kids were using it to wrap up chicken and raw veggies for lunch today 🙂
Catriona says
This sounds tasty! I’ll have to try this sometime, thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
International Elf Service says
It’s more tasty than it looks! 🙂
Iona says
BRILLIANT! I am so delighted to read about this – i will give it a go over the weekend. Maybe lunches won’t be so hard after all!!!
International Elf Service says
I know! I’m over the moon myself to have discovered them!