Mkatra Foutra (Comorian Coconut Sesame Flatbread)
Local name: Mkatra foutra
In short: Yeasted coconut milk flatbreads dotted with sesame seeds and cooked on a hot griddle until golden, soft and lightly sweet. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
In the Comoros, mkatra foutra is a breakfast bread that sits somewhere between a pancake and a flatbread. A yeasted coconut milk batter is spooned onto a hot griddle, scattered with sesame seeds and cooked until golden and springy. It is eaten warm with butter or honey beside sweet tea, and it also turns up next to rice or meat. This version uses canned coconut milk and a one-hour rest.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, yeast, sugar and salt together in a large bowl.
- Beat the egg with the coconut milk and warm water. Pour it into the dry mixture and whisk until smooth. The batter should be thick and spoonable, thicker than crêpe batter.
- Cover the bowl and leave it in a warm place for 1 hour, until the batter is puffy and full of bubbles.
- Heat a 24 cm (10 inch) non-stick frying pan or griddle over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil. Stir the batter once, gently.
- Pour in about 80 ml (1/3 cup) of batter and spread it into a round about 12 cm (5 inches) wide with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds over the top.
- Cook for 3 minutes, until bubbles break on the surface and the underside is golden. Flip and cook 2 minutes more, until cooked through.
- Stack the flatbreads in a clean towel to keep them warm. Re-oil the pan between batches.
- Serve warm with butter, honey or sweet tea for breakfast, or alongside rice and a saucy dish.
Tips
- Stir the coconut milk well before measuring. The thick cream that rises to the top is what makes the flatbreads tender and rich.
- No instant yeast? Use 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast, dissolved in the warm water with the sugar for 10 minutes before you mix the batter.
Questions and answers
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes. Let it rise for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Bring it back to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Cooked flatbreads keep for 2 days wrapped in a towel and reheat in a dry pan.
Are mkatra foutra sweet?
Only lightly. The coconut milk and a small spoonful of sugar give a gentle sweetness, so the flatbreads work with honey at breakfast or with a savory stew at dinner.
How is mkatra foutra different from pancakes?
The yeast gives a springy, bread-like crumb, and the batter is thicker. The sesame seeds go on while the first side cooks, so they toast into the surface.
How long does it take to make Mkatra Foutra (Comorian Coconut Sesame Flatbread)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mkatra Foutra (Comorian Coconut Sesame Flatbread)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
