Gurasa (Sudanese Pan Bread)
Local name: قراصة
In short: Thick, soft yeasted wheat pancakes cooked in a dry pan until puffed and spotted. A Sudanese bread for breakfast, ful and meat stews. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 225 kcal
Gurasa is the thick, soft pan bread of Sudan, made from a yeasted wheat dough cooked in a dry skillet until puffed and speckled. It is torn into pieces and used to scoop up ful, minced meat stews or cheese, and it is a common breakfast and street food. Gurasa is easy to make at home, and the dough needs only one rise of about an hour before shaping.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the warm water and 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir to a soft, slightly sticky dough.
- Knead on a lightly floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and rest for 1 hour until puffy.
- Divide the dough into 6 balls. With floured hands or a rolling pin, flatten each into a round about 16 cm (6 1/2 in) wide and 1 cm (1/2 in) thick.
- Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook each round for 3 to 4 minutes, until the underside is golden with brown spots and the top starts to puff.
- Flip, cover the pan and cook for 3 minutes more, until cooked through. Brush with the remaining oil and wrap the breads in a clean towel to keep them soft. Serve warm.
Tips
- Do not roll the dough too thin. Gurasa should be about 1 cm (1/2 in) thick so it stays soft and puffs in the pan.
- Use a heavy pan on medium heat. If the heat is too high the outside darkens before the center cooks, and if it is too low the bread turns dry.
Questions and answers
What do you eat with gurasa?
Ful, lentil or vegetable stews, salads and dips. It is also eaten plain with tea.
Can I freeze gurasa?
Yes. Cool the breads, stack them with parchment between and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a dry skillet or toaster.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, replace up to half of the flour with whole wheat flour. The bread will be denser and may need 1 or 2 tablespoons more water.
How long does it take to make Gurasa (Sudanese Pan Bread)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gurasa (Sudanese Pan Bread)?
About 225 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 225 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
