These are pizzas in the loosest possible sense of the word. But hey, they're little bases with toppings on, so I'm gonna run with it. Tandoori Sweet Potato Socca Pizzas. It works for me. And what is socca, I hear you ask. Socca is a flatbread made from chickpea (gram) flour, traditionally eaten in places like the south of France. In recent times it's become one of the trendy new things to eat and I had an urge to try it, even if I'm probably waaaay behind the times. If you've ever eaten an onion bhaji before, you'll know that anything made with chickpea flour has got to be good.
The result was a surprisingly flavoursome little flatbread. It's fairly dense, but in a good way. These hearty little socca rounds are the perfect vehicle for some delicious toppings, creating a light yet substantial lunch dish. These would even be good to serve at a gathering as the recipe is easily multiplied and the components can all be made ahead and assembled when needed. They also happen to be completely vegan and gluten free - bonus!
Let's talk about the sauce!
I used to be a major coriander hater, which I now realise is a pretty common stance. My parents used to cover their curries with the stuff and it used to make me gag. Intensely grassy and kinda soapy, that was not something I wanted spoiling my portion of curry. But now? I love the stuff! My palate really has changed hugely over the years, a fact for which I'm grateful. More delicious food for me! (But please, continue to keep the mouldy, stinky cheeses well away from me, thanks.)
I wanted the sauce for these to be cool and gentle, no garlic breath or chilli fire, just placid avocado, a touch of onion flavour and our friend, coriander, all balanced out with a little lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. The idea being that the toppings could then be a little more peppy and all the flavours would combine to make a flavour bomb in your mouth. It worked! You could use a different herb, such as parsley, if you're averse to coriander but I urge you to give it a try! I promise it doesn't taste like soap.
On top there are sweet potato cubes, very simply roasted with a coating of tandoori seasoning and an extra hit of chilli if you like it spicy, followed by crunchy red cabbage, a sprinkling of finely sliced spring onions and addictive pops of intense green chilli heat - don't skip the chillies! Jalapeños would be perfect here. In fact you could use pickled jalapeños too if you wanted to. That would be incredible. Go and make these now and see for yourself!
Tandoori Sweet Potato Socca Pizzas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g chickpea flour, (2 cups) gram flour
- 250 ml water, (1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3-4 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil, divided
- 1 large sweet potato
- 3 tablespoons tandoori seasoning
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon chilli powder, optional
- Shredded red cabbage, sliced spring onions and sliced green chillies, to serve
For the avocado coriander sauce
- 1 avocado
- 2 spring onions
- 2 cups coriander leaves
- juice of half a lemon
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or more lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rapeseed or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- To make the socca, place the chickpea flour in a bowl along with ½ teaspoon of salt. Using a whisk, gradually incorporate the water and 1 tablespoon of oil until you have a smooth batter. Leave to rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the chickpea flour to absorb the water.250 g chickpea flour, 250 ml water, ½ teaspoon salt, 3-4 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil
- Meanwhile, peel the sweet potato and dice into ½ inch chunks. Toss with the tandoori seasoning (and chilli powder if using) and 2-3 tablespoons of oil until coated. Check to see if your tandoori seasoning contains salt and add a good pinch if not. Spread out on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 30-35 minutes until tender.1 large sweet potato, 3 tablespoons tandoori seasoning, ¼ - ½ teaspoon chilli powder, 3-4 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil
- After 30 minutes, give the socca batter another stir and add a splash more water to loosen it if it’s looking a bit thick. It should be the consistency of pancake batter. Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, drop ¼ cupfuls of the batter into the pan and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden and set.
- To make the avocado coriander sauce, place all ingredients in a food processor and blitz until smooth. Taste to check the seasoning, adding more salt or lemon juice as needed.1 avocado, 2 spring onions, 2 cups coriander leaves, juice of half a lemon, 4 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon rapeseed or olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Serve the socca warm topped with the sauce and tandoori sweet potato chunks. Garnish with shredded red cabbage, sliced spring onions and green chilli.Shredded red cabbage
Notes
Nutrition
Hana | Nirvana Cakery says
I absolutely love this recipe, so creative! Well done Sasha! x
Sasha says
Thanks Hana! They really are yummy - and so simple to make!
Lindsey @ Butter & Type says
Brb--gotta go make a million of these little pizzas. I love how colorful they are! Thanks for sharing!
Sasha says
Thanks so much Lindsey! Colourful food is the best, huh?!
Michelle @ The Last Food Blog says
These looks great Sasha! You made me laugh when you said coriander made you gag :-)) I've always loved it and find it weird that some people get a soapy taste of it ?! Great recipe and fab photos thanks for sharing them 🙂
Sasha says
Haha, I know! It must just have been my immature palate because I love it now! Let me know if you give them a go! 🙂
Recipes @ Globe Scoffers says
These look delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Sasha says
Thank you!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I love this recipe! And the pictures! I am a great fan of chikpea flour (or garbanzo bean flour) that I use frequently (also in my baking). The toppings are great and compliment each other well. And yes, I don't mind to call pizza any round base with a topping on 😉 .
Sasha says
Thanks for the kind comment Nicoletta! Gotta love pizza, in any shape or size!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
I've never seen chickpea flour in a supermarket before, do you think you can make it yourself? Love this recipe, anything that's called "pizza" is good haha! It sounds like a great combination of flavors.
Sasha says
Hi Vivian! Chickpea flour is also sold labelled as gram flour, or besan. But I do believe you can make it yourself! Erin from Naturally Ella has a book dedicated to making homemade flours and I believe she has a recipe in there. You probably need a high-powered blender though. You might be able to find chickpea flour at an international supermarket too, if you have one nearby? Glad you like the recipe - they really are delicious!