Italian Chickpea Bread Recipes

SOCCA (PROVENCAL CHICKPEA FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl whisk together the garbanzo bean flour, salt and pepper. Pour in the water and continue to whisk until the batter is smooth. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and whisk to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes or up to several hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F.Heat a 12-inch heavy oven-proof frying pan (I prefer cast iron) and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil (I like to replace some of the olive oil with duck fat for the best flavor). Cook the onion until deeply caramelized, adding a small pinch of sugar to enhance the caramelization. Add the chopped rosemary and cook for another minute. Spread the onion mixture out evenly over the bottom of the pan.Pour the chickpea batter over the onion mixture. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the socca is firm, the edges are set, and it is golden in color. Next brush the socca with some additional olive oil and then place it under the broiler for another minute or two until well browned and just beginning to scorch in a few places.Cut into wedges and serve immediately while hot.

FARINATA (ITALIAN FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush a 9-inch tart pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and place in the oven to warm up.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add green onion and garlic. Cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Mix chickpea flour with lukewarm water until smooth. Set aside for 20 minutes at room temperature.
• Skim foam from the top of chickpea-water mixture. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix in onion-garlic mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add Gruyere cheese and mix well. Remove tart tin from oven and pour in chickpea mixture.
• Bake it in the preheated oven until crispy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into triangles before serving.

SOCCA (FARINATA)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450. Put a well-seasoned or nonstick 12-inch pizza pan or cast-iron skillet in oven. (If you have a socca pan, obviously that will work well also.)
• Put the chickpea flour in a bowl; add the salt and pepper. Slowly add 1 cup lukewarm water, whisking to eliminate lumps. Stir in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cover and let sit while the oven heats, or for as long as 12 hours. The batter should be about the consistency of heavy cream.
• Remove the pan, pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into it and swirl. Add the onions return the pan to the oven and cook, stirring once or twice, until they're well browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the rosemary. Stir the onions and rosemary into the batter, then immediately pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pancake is firm and the edges set.
• Heat the broiler and brush the top of the pancake with 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil if it looks dry. Set the pancake a few inches away from the broiler, and cook just long enough to brown it in spots. Cut it into wedges, and serve hot or warm.

ITALIAN CHICKPEA BREAD

Steps:

• Whisk chickpea flour and water together in a bowl until smooth; let sit at room temperature, 2 to 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray the inside of an 8-inch metal pie pan.
• Skim foam from the top of chickpea-water mixture. Add oil, Italian seasoning, and rosemary and stir until combined. Pour mixture into the prepared pan; sprinkle black pepper and salt over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cut into wedges.