Ingredients

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced (1/4 to 1/2 cup, loosely packed, to taste), optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, optional

Method

  • Combine the chickpea flour with 1 3/4 cups water in a bowl; whisk together to eliminate lumps.
  • Whisk in the salt and two tablespoons of the olive oil and let the batter sit on the kitchen counter for at least 1 hour and as long as 12.
  • The batter will become slightly thicker as it sits.
  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Put a well-seasoned or nonstick 12-inch pizza pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.When the oil is hot, after 1 or 2 minutes, add the onion and rosemary if youre using them; let them sizzle for a minute, then add the batter.
  • Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake for 20 to 40 minutes, until the farinata is no longer custardy in the center.
  • If you have a separate broiler, preheat it during the last 10 minutes or so of cooking.
  • Turn the broiler on.
  • Set the farinata a few inches away from the broiler heat for a minute or two, just long enough to brown it spottily, but not long enough so that it colors evenly or burns.
  • Remove the farinata from the pan with two spatulasthis is where a nonstick pan comes in very handyand transfer it, carefully, to a cutting board.
  • Let cool briefly, then cut it into wedges and grind a generous amount of black pepper over all.
  • Eat while still warm out of the oven, with additional black pepper or olive oil as desired.