Berber bread, also known as kesra, is a traditional flatbread that originated among the Berber people of North Africa. It is a versatile bread that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with various dishes. Made with simple ingredients such as flour, water, and salt, Berber bread has a unique flavor and texture that sets it apart from other flatbreads. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the process of creating delicious and authentic Berber bread in the comfort of your own home. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of this North African delicacy.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
BERBER BREAD
Moroccan Berber Bread
Provided by stbrighit
Categories Bread
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put semolina, salt and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large bowl, stir. Gradually add the water, mixing and squeezing with your hands until the dough holds together without being sticky or dry. Using your hands, mold the dough into four balls. Roll each ball into a flat, round piece, about 1/4 inch thick. Heat a skillet in high heat and add about 1 tbsp of olive oil. Fry each bread until dark spots appear on the surface, flip and repeat. Add more oil before frying each bread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 585 calories, Fat 21.462675 g, Carbohydrate 82.2987125 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 4.66612510681152 g, Protein 14.3247875 g, SaturatedFat 2.975145 g, ServingSize 1 1 Serving (178g), Sodium 3.353125 mg, Sugar 77.6325873931885 g, TransFat 0.937465000000004 g
BERBER SKILLET BREAD
The Berbers use an unusual leavening method that gives a warm, earthy aroma to the loaves: a mix of semolina flour, water and garlic cloves that quickly ferments into a pungent starter. The recipe requires three kinds of flour and takes two days, but is richly rewarding in flavor.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories project, appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 4 8-inch bread rounds
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Make the starter: In a glass or ceramic bowl, combine 2/3 cup semolina flour with the all-purpose flour. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup water to make a wet dough. Mix in garlic, cover, wrap in a towel and leave in a warm place, like an unheated oven, for a day.
- Uncover the starter, add 1/4 cup water and the remaining 1/2 cup semolina flour, and mix. Cover, wrap in a towel, and leave for 12 to 24 hours. The starter will get a crusty top and blossom underneath. Scoop out 1/2 cup starter and discard the rest, including garlic cloves (otherwise, as it continues to ferment, the smell would drive you out of your home).
- Make the bread: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine extra-fine semolina flour, the 1/2 cup of starter, the yeast and salt. Pulse once or twice. Add 1 cup warm water and process for 15 to 20 seconds to knead. Let rest 10 minutes. Pulsing food processor, trickle in another 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle a work surface with flour and turn dough onto it. Cover with an upside-down bowl for 10 minutes. Cut 4 1-foot squares of waxed or parchment paper and sprinkle with flour. Divide dough in four and put each piece on a piece of a floured paper, turning to coat. Press each into an 8-inch circle. Cover with kitchen towels and let rise 1 hour.
- When ready to cook, gently flatten each disk, then prick the tops all over with a fork. Heat an 8- or 10-inch nonstick skillet or griddle (or two, if you have them) over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the pan's surface with flour, then pick up a dough round and flip it into the pan, paper side up. Peel off the paper and adjust the heat so that the bread sizzles gently. When it is browned and blistered on the bottom, about 5 minutes, flip the bread out onto a plate, then slide it back into the pan to cook the other side. Cook about 2 minutes, shaking the skillet often to prevent sticking. When browned, firm and fragrant, slide onto a platter and serve immediately, or cover with a towel to keep warm while you cook the remaining breads. Serve with Moroccan almond-argan butter.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 644, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 131 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 418 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
BERBER SOFT BREAD
Provided by Robert Colombi
Categories Bread Breakfast Bake Winter Honey Bon Appétit Paris France Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes three 9-inch rounds
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Mix flour and salt in processor. Add 1 cup hot water and 4 tablespoons oil; blend until ball forms. Remove dough from processor. Using oiled hands, divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece on lightly floured surface into 9-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium (10-inch-diameter) nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 dough round to skillet; reduce heat to medium-low and cook until golden on bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn bread over; cook until golden on bottom and bread is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer bread to plate. Tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and dough. Break warm bread into pieces, drizzle with honey, and serve.
BOUZGENE BERBER BREAD & ROASTED PEPPER DIP - ALGERIAN
This is a fantastic recipe from high in the mountains of northern Algeria. You can make either component by itself - you do not have to eat the bread with the dip but they do compliment each other. The bread is a typical Algerian semolina & olive oil flat bread (known as K'ssra), it is meant to be quite hard & crispy, the dip is Algeria's version of a fresh salsa. This recipe is delicious as a light lunch or snack & is perfect for Suhor during Ramadan as it is nutritious & filling.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat your oven's grill / broiler. Place red bell peppers and tomatoes on a baking sheet, and roast under the grill / broiler for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally. This should blacken the skin and help it peel off more easily.
- Cool, then scrape the skins off & discard, then place in a large bowl. Remove cores and seeds from the peppers.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chili and garlic, and cook until tender, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat & add the garlic and chili to the bowl with the tomatoes and red peppers.
- Chop (or pulse in a food processor) the tomatoes and peppers to a coarse and soupy consistency. Stir, and set sauce aside.
- Place the semolina in a large bowl, and stir in salt and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Gradually add water while mixing and squeezing with your hand until the dough holds together without being dry - but be careful not to get it sticky, and molds easily with the hand. Divide into 6 pieces and form into balls.
- For each round, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Roll out dough one round at a time, to no thicker than 1/4 inch. Fry in the hot skillet until dark brown spots appear on the surface, and they are crispy. Remove from the skillet, and wrap in a clean towel while preparing the remaining flat breads.
- Serve whilst still warm for a real treat!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 799.3, Fat 26.7, SaturatedFat 3.7, Sodium 591.9, Carbohydrate 118.3, Fiber 8.1, Sugar 4.9, Protein 20.8
ALGERIAN BOUZGENE BERBER BREAD WITH ROASTED PEPPER SAUCE
This traditional favorite comes from the northern mountain towns of Algeria. A humble, unleavened semolina flatbread compliments a zesty, roasted red-pepper sauce. The combination is fresh, simple and satisfying. We also like to have this with fried eggs.
Provided by Corey Habbas
Categories Bread
Time 40m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat your oven's broiler. Place red bell peppers and tomatoes on a baking sheet, and roast under the broiler for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally. This should blacken the skin and help it peel off more easily. Cool, then scrape the skins off of the tomatoes and peppers, and place them in a large bowl. Remove cores and seeds from the bell peppers.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the jalapenos and garlic, and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and transfer the garlic and jalapeno to the bowl with the tomatoes and red peppers. Using two sharp steak knives (one in each hand), cut up the tomatoes and peppers to a coarse and soupy consistency. Stir, and set sauce aside.
- Place the semolina in a large bowl, and stir in salt and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Gradually add water while mixing and squeezing with your hand until the dough holds together without being sticky or dry, and molds easily with the hand. Divide into 6 pieces and form into balls.
- For each round, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Roll out dough one round at a time, to no thicker than 1/4 inch. Fry in the hot skillet until dark brown spots appear on the surface, and they are crispy. Remove from the skillet, and wrap in a clean towel while preparing the remaining flat breads.
- To eat the bread and sauce, break off pieces of the bread, and scoop them into the sauce. It will slide off, but just keep reaching in!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 795.8 calories, Carbohydrate 134 g, Fat 17.1 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 701 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
Tips:
- Use a large bowl to mix the dough. This will give you plenty of room to work and prevent the dough from sticking to the sides of the bowl.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water.
- Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes. This will help to develop the gluten in the flour and make the bread more chewy.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours. This will allow the yeast to grow and ferment the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before baking the bread.
- Bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown and crusty.
- Let the bread cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Berber bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover ingredients. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can make a delicious and satisfying loaf of Berber bread that your family and friends will love.
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