Sudanese Flatbread and Sourdough Flatbread Pizza - A Tale of Two Flatbreads Flatbreads are a staple food in many cultures around the world. They are simple, usually made from just flour, water, salt, and maybe a bit of yeast or sourdough starter. They are versatile, able to be eaten on their own or used as a base for other dishes. And, perhaps most importantly, they are delicious. In this post, we'll be exploring two different types of flatbread: Sudanese gorraasa and sourdough pizza crust. While these two flatbreads might seem like they have little in common, they both share a few key characteristics: they are both made from simple ingredients, they both can be customized to fit a variety of flavors, and they both are sure to satisfy your carb cravings. Sudanese Flatbread - Gorraasa Gorraasa is a type of Sudanese flatbread that is traditionally cooked over hot coals. It is made from a simple dough that is lightly flavored with onion and cumin. Once the dough is mixed, it is portioned out into small disks and rolled out until thin. The disks are then cooked on a hot griddle until bubbly and browned. One of the best things about gorraasa is how versatile it is. It can be served alongside stews and curries as a sort of spoon, used to scoop up the flavorful sauce. It can also be enjoyed on its own, topped with a bit of butter or honey. And, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can even use it to make a sandwich. To highlight the versatility of gorraasa, we recommend trying it three ways: with a spicy lentil stew, with honey and butter, and as part of a sandwich. Spicy Lentil Stew with Gorraasa Ingredients: - 2 cups red lentils - 1 onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ground cumin - 1 tablespoon ground coriander - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon salt - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 tablespoon olive oil Tools: - Large pot - Wooden spoon - Blender or immersion blender How to make: 1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the cumin, coriander, and paprika, and cook for another 2 minutes. 4. Add the lentils, salt, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. 5. Use a blender or immersion blender to blend until smooth. To serve: 1. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Place a gorraasa disk on the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and lightly browned. 3. Serve alongside the spicy lentil stew. Honey and Butter Gorraasa Ingredients: - Gorraasa - Butter - Honey Tools: - Knife How to make: 1. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Place a gorraasa disk on the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and lightly browned. 3. Spread butter and honey over the top of the gorraasa. To serve: Serve and enjoy! Gorraasa Sandwich Ingredients: - Gorraasa - Ham - Cheese - Lettuce - Tomato - Mayo Tools: - Knife How to make: 1. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Place a gorraasa disk on the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and lightly browned. 3. Layer ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on top of the gorraasa. 4. Spread mayo on the other gorraasa disk and place on top of the sandwich. To serve: Cut in half and enjoy! Sourdough Flatbread Pizza Pizza is a universally beloved food, and for good reason. It has the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese to toppings, and the crust provides the perfect vehicle for delivering all that deliciousness. And while there's nothing wrong with a classic pizza crust, we're here to show you that sourdough flatbread pizza is just as good -- if not better. Sourdough starter is a natural leavening agent that is used in place of commercial yeast. It gives breads and pizzas a distinct tanginess and chewiness. Making sourdough starter is a bit of a commitment, but it is well worth it. Once you have a good sourdough starter going, you can use it to make breads, pancakes, waffles, and, of course, pizza crust. In this recipe, we'll be topping our sourdough flatbread pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese, and arugula. But feel free to get creative with your toppings. The beauty of pizza is that it's so customizable, so don't be afraid to experiment. Sourdough Starter Ingredients: - 1/2 cup bread flour - 1/2 cup water - 1 tablespoon honey or sugar Tools: - Glass jar with lid - Fork How to make: 1. Mix the flour, water, and honey or sugar in a glass jar until well combined. 2. Cover the jar with a lid or a piece of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band. 3. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. 4. After 24 hours, discard half of the mixture and feed the remaining mixture with another 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water. 5. Repeat this process every 24 hours until the mixture is bubbly and smells sour (usually takes about 7 days). Sourdough Flatbread Pizza Ingredients: - Sourdough starter - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon sugar - 1/4 cup warm water - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 onion, sliced - 4 ounces goat cheese - 2 cups arugula Tools: - Mixing bowl - Wooden spoon - Rolling pin - Pizza stone or baking sheet How to make: 1. Mix the sourdough starter, flour, salt, sugar, water, and olive oil in a mixing bowl until a dough forms. 2. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. 3. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until doubled in size. 4. Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F. 5. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of olive oil and the sliced onion. Cook until the onion is golden brown and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes. 6. Roll out the pizza dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick. 7. Transfer the dough to a pizza stone or baking sheet. 8. Spread the caramelized onions over the pizza dough. 9. Crumble the goat cheese over the onions. 10. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted. 11. Top with arugula and serve. In conclusion, these two flatbreads might seem like they have little in common, but they both showcase the beauty of simple, flavorful food. Whether you're in the mood for a savory African-inspired dish or a classic pizza, these flatbreads are sure to satisfy. So, get in the kitchen and start cooking!

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