Moroccan Caliente Recipe - Kalinti
Caliente typically features a base of chickpea flour, water, and various spices, creating a batter that is poured onto a hot griddle or oven tray. The result is a golden, crispy-edged chickpea flan that is topped with olive oil, cumin, paprika, and herbs, infusing the flan with a burst of Moroccan flavours. Enjoying a warm slice of this stuff from a food trolly guy in the streets of Morocco, you can expect to get a variety of accompaniments such as spicy harissa & olives. It can be served as it is on a plate to spoon out like a tart or as a sandwich filling, making it a go-to option for those seeking a quick, satisfying bite on the go.
Equipment
- 1 large baking round dish/pan traditionally Caliente is made in a round pan but you can use a rectangular oven tray or dish if you don't have one.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (210 grams) chickpea flour (not roasted chickpea flour or gram flour)
- 1-2 tsp baking powder optional
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1 tsp crushed or ground cumin powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper or freshly ground black pepper
- 2½ cups water
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup oil (½ vegetable oil and ½ olive oil)
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- Prepare and gather all the above ingredients.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Then combine the water, eggs, oil and milk in another bowl
- The Caliente batter will be thin, so set it aside to rest for 15 minutes and put the oven on to heat. Preheat your oven to 375 F/190 C.
- Generously oil a large round baking dish. (about 10- or 11-inch)
- Lightly whisk the batter again before pouring it into the prepared pan.
- Place in the oven and bake for 50 minutes or until well-browned and firm.
- Serve slices of Caliente into a fresh baguette or on a plate while still warm and top with cumin, olive oil and paprika. Harissa and olives are also offered on the side as condiments.
Notes
- You can pop the baked Caliente under the grill to form that favourable textured crispy top.
- If you have a large blender, you can blend all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth and leave to rest in the blender for 15 minutes. Then blend again for a minute before pouring out into the greased oven tray.