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Kimis (Somali thick pan bread)
Kimis: a thick, soft round of pan-cooked wheat bread for mopping up maraq in Hargeisa
Thicker and plainer than sabaayad, kimis is the everyday bread of Hargeisa and the north, cooked in a heavy pan and cut into wedges to soak up maraq, the thin spiced meat or vegetable broths eaten at lunch. The dough is simple flour and water raised with a little baking powder, so it puffs into a soft, bready round about 2 cm thick with a lightly freckled crust. It is also good for breakfast with tea and a spoonful of sugar or honey. This version uses oil, so it is vegan. Cooking over too high a heat is the classic mistake: the outside scorches before the middle is done, so keep the flame medium-low and cover the pan. Chef's tip: knock the bread on its base when you think it is ready; it should sound hollow.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 14 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup warm waterabout
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix the 14 oz plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar. Stir in the 1 cup warm water and half the 2 tbsp vegetable oil and knead for 3–4 minutes to a soft, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
14 minStep 2: Divide in two and pat each piece into a round about 20 cm across and 1.5 cm thick.
Step 3: Heat a heavy 24 cm frying pan over a medium-low heat and brush it with some of the remaining 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add one round, cover and cook for 5–6 minutes until risen and golden-brown underneath.
6 minStep 4: Flip, brush the top with a little more oil, cover again and cook 5–6 minutes more, until the bread sounds hollow when tapped and the sides feel springy. Repeat with the second round.
18 minStep 5: Wrap in a cloth for 5 minutes to soften the crust, then cut into wedges and serve warm with maraq or tea.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 400 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 76 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kimis (Somali thick pan bread) take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 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.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of baking powder?
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar per 1 tsp.
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