Kitchen
Harcha (Moroccan semolina bread)
Harch or Harsha is a Moroccan semolina bread close to the English muffins yet very different in taste and much more thinner. The texture is more like the cornbread. Harcha is enjoyed in breakfast or with the afternoon tea, can be filled with cheese, butter and honey spread, chocolate, jam, and much more.
Ingredients · Servings 5
- 2 cups fine semolina.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
- 1 teaspoon of dry yeast.
- 1 Tablespoon sugar (divided.)
- 1/4 cup warm water (for proofing the yeast.)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- 1/2 cup olive oil . Note1
- 1 Tablespoon butter (melted.)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup of warm water for the dough. Note2
Method · 40 min
- In a small bowl, add yeast, half the sugar and 1/4 cup of warm water. Mix well and leave to proof for 10 minutes.
- In a deep bowl, mix together semolina, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Pour in the olive oil and melted butter and mix with your finger tips making sure semolina granules are covered well with the olive oil and butter. It should look more like a graham-cracker crust.
- Add the yeast mixture and mix.
- Gradually add warm water until you get a smooth dough.
- Cover and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat a pan or a griddle on medium.
- Flatten the dough on a semolina covered surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.Using a large cookie cutter cut rounded mini Harchas . Reduce heat to low, place the harcha and cook thoroughly for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Let it cool down a bit before serving.
Harcha bread
Harcha basically means rough, and this is due to the face that this bread has an outer rough texture as it is spread over a semolina layer.
Harcha notes:
- Many people make this bread with butter and milk for a richer harcha. This recipe came from a Moroccan friend as her family favorite.
- Harcha keeps well in the freezer. Simply reheat in oven or on stovetop to freshen them up.
- I loved dipping Harcha in rich olive oil, it tastes amazing.
Enjoy by spreading butter, or with jam, honey, cream cheese, or any kind of cheese or simply by dipping it in olive oil. Do not forget the tea it is the perfect companion :).
