Socca--Another Amazing Use for Garbanzo Beans

True confessions time.  I really do not like garbanzo beans.  At all.  And yet, I’ve written three or four articles focusing on using garbanzo beans.  And I really love those recipes—hummus, chocolate mousse, egg substitute, and homemade Cool Whip.  But I loathe plain garbanzo beans.  And now, here’s another cool food storage recipe featuring them.

Socca is simple, traditional bread from France that uses only garbanzo bean flour, oil, salt, and water.  At its most basic, it’s grilled and then topped with salt and pepper.  But as with many traditional foods, there are dozens of ways to prepare it.  This is socca at its most basic.

Socca

1 cup garbanzo bean flour

1 cup water

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt (1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, if you have it)

Combine the bean flour, water, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl and let rest 30 minutes so that the bean flour can fully absorb the water.

Set an oven rack 6” below the broiler element and heat oven to 450°F.  Five minutes before the batter is done resting, put a 10” cast iron skillet into the oven to heat and set the oven to broil. 

Remove the heated skillet from the oven.  Pour 1 teaspoon of oil in the skillet and swirl it around to coat the pan.  Pour the batter into the center of the pan and tilt the pan, if necessary, to spread the batter. 

Broil the socca for 5-8 minutes, or until the top of the socca begins to blister and brown.  The socca should be flexible in the middle but crispy on the edges.  If it is cooking too quickly, move the skillet to a lower rack. 

Serve immediately.  Slice into wedges or squares.  While socca will keep for a week and can be toasted, it really tastes best straight from the oven.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.  

Family reviews:  It's pretty good.  Not an every night thing, but it is different.  It works well with soup or chili, or even just by itself for a quick snack.  The 30-minute rest takes a bit of time, but it bakes up so quickly and really doesn't take much hands-on time.  

Links to related posts:

Aquafaba

Homemade Cool Whip

Hummus

Chocolate Mousse

 19 march 2021