Technique
Warqa
The paper-thin pastry sheet, slapped onto a hot dome.
- Darija
- Werqa
- العربية
- ورقة
Definition
Warqa is the leaf-thin pastry that wraps bastilla, briouats, and the sweet pastries of the formal kitchen. A wet dough is dabbed in overlapping circles onto a heated inverted pan; each pass leaves behind a translucent layer.
Method
- Make a slack, smooth dough from strong flour, water, salt, and a little oil. Rest it for an hour, covered, until very elastic.
- Heat a wide, flat inverted pan (a tobsil, or a smooth-bottomed wok) over a low flame.
- Take a handful of dough and, holding it loosely, dab it onto the hot surface in overlapping circles, building a thin, even sheet.
- Lift the finished sheet immediately — it should peel cleanly. Stack between cloths.