I subscribe to a couple of blogs and sometimes I find great recipes that I never would have tried before.. remember I’m trying new things this year (smiles).. Here is a great example. I found a recipe for Socca Bread on findingradiance.com. Now usually I don’t bother with breads but I was looking for something that was different, that was gluten-free and something that would make use out of my coconut oil. (Found many, many uses btw)

I gave it a try to I have to say I was skeptical, the smell wasn’t all that pleasant when I was preparing it but leaving it overnight the smell went from kind of gross to more of a yeast type smell.. interesting. I cooked it this morning and I have to say I was fairly impressed. It’s not something I’ll make all the time as it’s more carbs than I need now but it’s a nice treat and for someone who never eats bread, it’s better than most gluten-free breads! (atleast in my opinion).

I will give the recipe, make sure to go visit findingradiance.com and let her know what you think of her recipe if you do give it a try!! I’ve also found other variations of socca bread which apparently is also called Farinata. You can add different ingredients to it for different tastes including any of the following or a combination of: cheese, 1/2 a medium onion (red or white), 3 small tomatoes, 15-20 black olives and 1-2 tbsp of fresh herbs, such as rosemary, 1 tsp marjoram or oregano, 1/2 tsp cumin seed. You can also use it as a pizza crust, haven’t tried it yet.

Another variation I will likely try is Chocolate cinnamon socca with 1/4 cup raw cacao and 1 tsp. cinnamon, you can even add some raisins but I’d take away the black pepper out of the recipe.. might make for a weird taste. My advice try new combinations and post your ideas on the blog.

SOCCA BREAD

Ingredients:
•    1 cup (120 grams) of chickpea flour
•    1 cup of warm water
•    1 tablespoon of oil (I used coconut oil)
•    3/4 tsp salt
•    A bunch of fresh ground pepper
•    1.5 more tablespoons of oil (to be used in cooking)

-In a bowl, whisk together the water, chickpea flour, oil, salt and pepper. Cover and let stand for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
-Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.. put your 1.5 tbsp of oil in the pan and stick it in the oven until it gets hots.
-Once the pan is hot, give the socca batter a stir and pour into the pan.  It will sizzle.
- Bake for 15 minutes until it is set. Turn on the broiler element to high and broil for several minutes until it gets a bit brown on top.
-Top as you desire..OR heat it up in the toaster another day!

Check out Finding Radiance blog for more detailed directions and photos as well as nutritional information.