No flipping required! How to cook Baghrir-Honeycomb Pancakes
A most enchanting pancake with Orange Blossom & Honey Sryup.
Memories from Morocco on this day in 2023 ~ Fat tuesday/Mardi gras/Shrove tuesday to Catholics like me.
While sitting on the terrace of a mythical riad a mythical riad, gazing past the 18th-century fortress known as Skala de la Kasbah, overlooking the port of Essaouira, and out onto the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, I felt compelled to write to you as I enjoyed quite the mardi gras/fat tuesday in Morocco. I wanted you there with me, feasting on the glorious views and food in Essaouira, this Berber-chic coastal retreat I have fallen in love with.
A walk on the promenade, Avenue Mohammed V in Essaouira
I missed Morocco, especially as it was my last destination just before lockdown in the UK. From the tongue rolling Arabic to orange blossom scented riads and hammans, the fragrant food and the theatre of haggling in the souks, it was such a treat to be back. On my recent holiday turned cookery retreat recce, as I travelled beyond the red city of Marrakesh to the enchanting Atlas mountains and back down to the coast of Essaouira, I gorged on Baghrir for most of my breakfasts. These North African honeycomb-like pancakes typically made with a mix of flour and semolina for a pleasingly creamy flavour and aroma, defy a number of cookery expectations.
First, you do not need oil to fry them, (in Africana I say you can use a tiny amount of oil because I know many will be tempted to) But trust me! Use a non-stick pan or a well seasoned skillet and you will not need to grease the pan.
The second cookery expectation that you must resist is to flip it. *Do not flip your Baghrir.* Those delightful bubbles left undisturbed will capture your generous drizzle of honey or Amlou ~ a local almond, honey & argan oil butter. After your first try with my super detailed recipe, you will perfect this and confidently whip up these flip-less wonders.
In Africana I conjure up an Orange Blossom and Honey Syrup with cinnamon and added zest from fresh oranges. So bewitchingly fragrant, embodying that Moroccan-ness that is stamped in my mind and heart, and hopefully soon…yours too!
Have you tried this recipe or enjoyed this in Morocco? I’d love to read from you. Enjoy!
Let’s get cooking!
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Baghrir
Honeycomb Pancakes with Orange Blossom & Honey Syrup
Makes about 10 pancakes
Ingredients