Beghrir are tender Moroccan pancakes made from semolina flour. Yeast in the crepe-like batter causes hundreds of bubbles to form and break on the surface of each pancake as it cooks. This gives beghrir its unique texture and appearance.
Beghrir are cooked only on one side. They're easy to make, but in order for the bubbles to form properly, the batter must be the right consistency. If the batter is too thick, the bubbles can't form. Use the conventional measures, or try my preferred method -- using a tall drinking glass to measure ingredients. (Also see the Tips at the end of the recipe.)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Yield: approx. 16 5" beghrir
Ingredients:
- --- Conventional Measures ---
- 1 1/2 cups fine semolina
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- --- Traditional Measures--- (use a tall 12 to 14 oz drinking glass as your measure)
- 2 glasses (to the brim) lukewarm water
- 1 level glass fine semolina
- 1/2 glass all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon yeast
Preparation:
Make the Batter
Mix the flour, semolina, salt, sugar and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a blender, measure lukewarm water to just over the 3-cup line.
Add the yeast and process on low speed to blend. Gradually add the dry ingredients.
Increase the processing speed and blend for a full minute, or until very smooth and creamy. The batter should be rather thin, like crepe batter.
Pour the batter into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and leave to rest for 30 minutes to one hour, or until the top of the batter is light and a bit foamy.
Cook the Beghrir
Heat a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Stir the batter, and use a ladle to pour batter into the hot skillet. Pour carefully and slowly into the center and the batter will spread evenly into a circle. (Do not swirl the pan as you would for a crepe; the batter should spread itself.) Make the beghrir as large as you like.
Bubbles should appear on the surface of the beghrir as it cooks. Don't flip the beghrir. It only gets cooked on one side.
Cook for about two to three minutes, or until the beghrir doesn't appear wet anywhere on the surface. It should feel spongy, but not sticky or gummy, when you touch it lightly with your finger.
Transfer the beghrir to cool in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel. Once they are cool, they can be stacked without sticking.
Repeat with the remaining batter.
