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Farinata
Farinata di ceci: Ligurian chickpea pancake baked in a very hot oven
Farinata is a thin, golden chickpea-flour pancake sold by the slice from wood-fired ovens in the sciamadde (old bakeries) of Genoa's port district, where people eat it hot, on paper, with black pepper. It is just chickpea flour, water, olive oil and salt, with a crisp top and edges and a soft, custardy middle. In Nice it is called socca, in Livorno cecina. Start the batter 4 hours ahead (or the night before): resting is essential. Chef's tip: heat the oiled tin in the oven before pouring in the batter; the sizzle sets the base at once and gives crisp, lacy edges.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Whisk 2 ½ cups cold water into 7 oz chickpea flour (gram flour) little by little until smooth and free of lumps. Cover and leave at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
240 minStep 2: Skim off any foam from the top with a spoon. Whisk in 1 tsp salt and 2 tablespoons of 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
Step 3: Heat the oven to its hottest setting, ideally 475°F, with a 30–32 cm round metal baking tin inside. Common mistake: using a deep cake tin or a glass dish; you need a thin layer and a metal tin so it crisps.
Step 4: Take the hot tin out, pour in the rest of 3 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil, then pour the batter in. It should be no more than 5 mm deep. Stir once with a spoon to mix the oil in slightly, and scatter 1 sprig fresh rosemary on top if using.
Step 5: Bake on the top shelf for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden with darker spots and the edges are crisp and brown.
25 minStep 6: Turn on the grill for the last 2 minutes if the top needs more colour. Cut into wedges, grind over ½ tsp black pepper and eat hot.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 27 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does farinata take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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