In the time before Islam came to Morocco (in the 8th century) local tribes were at constant war, decimating the male population. They wanted to end the conflict but neither side could lose face. At last a travelling wise man negotiated a truce. The agreement was that on a certain day each year the tribes would make breakfast for one another, turn and turn about; and idernan – like very thin crumpets, served hot with butter and honey – were the result. The tradition has been kept in this region all this time, for 1300 years or more.
Recipe: 250g fine semolina durum wheat 250g flour 45 cl of warm water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 8g fresh yeast or 1 tsp dried 1 tsp sugar
In a bowl, combine the semolina, flour, salt and baking powder. Then add the warm water and yeast, diluted in a little warm water, and sugar. Leave the batter to rise for an hour. Just before cooking, stir it gently.
Pour a small ladle of batter onto a hot frying pan. Cook only on one side, without turning. When you take it out, look on the other side and you’ll find there are many tiny holes. An alternative name is ‘the pancake with 1000 holes’.
Serve hot with either a mixture of honey and melted butter or with argan oil or jam.
