Lahoh (Djiboutian Spongy Pancake Bread)
Local name: Laxoox
In short: Soft, spongy pancake bread with a honeycomb of tiny holes, cooked on one side only and served with honey, ghee or a savory stew. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Lahoh (laxoox in Somali) is the breakfast bread of Djibouti: a soft, spongy pancake with a honeycomb of tiny holes on top and a pale underside. The thin batter ferments briefly, goes into a hot pan and cooks on one side only, so the surface stays moist enough to soak up honey, ghee or the sauce of a stew. It is also served with tea, and with liver or meat for a heartier meal.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, yeast, baking powder, sugar and salt together in a large bowl.
- Pour in the warm water and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth. The batter should be pourable, like thin cream.
- Cover the bowl and leave it in a warm place for 1 hour, until bubbly and nearly doubled in volume.
- Heat a 20 to 24 cm (8 to 10 inch) non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Wipe it with a paper towel dampened with a little oil.
- Stir the batter once. Pour in about 80 ml (1/3 cup) and tilt the pan so it spreads into a thin round.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes without flipping, until the top is covered with small holes and looks dry and set. The underside should be pale, not browned.
- Slide the lahoh onto a plate and cover with a clean towel. Repeat with the rest of the batter, then serve warm with honey and ghee or with a stew.
Tips
- Keep the heat at medium. If the pan is too hot, the underside browns before the top sets and the lahoh loses its soft texture.
- For a tangier, more bubbly lahoh, leave the batter to ferment for 3 to 4 hours at room temperature before cooking.
Questions and answers
Do you flip lahoh?
No. Lahoh is cooked on one side only. The top stays pale and spongy, full of holes that catch honey or sauce.
How do I store leftover lahoh?
Wrap it in a clean towel for the day, or refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat in a dry pan. For freezing, stack with parchment between each one and keep for 2 months.
What do you eat lahoh with?
Honey and ghee or butter with tea at breakfast, or torn into pieces to scoop up a stew or soup.
How long does it take to make Lahoh (Djiboutian Spongy Pancake Bread)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lahoh (Djiboutian Spongy Pancake Bread)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 58 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 58 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
