300g strong white bread flour
3 teaspoons sunflower or olive oil
3 teaspoons wine or malt vinegar
300ml tepid water, plus 2 tablespoons
The pan that the sheets of warka are made on is as important
as the dough itself. In Morocco they use what looks like an
upside-down tray or paella pan made of copper. In this country
you will have to be resourceful. A non-stick frying pan that
just fits snugly on top of a saucepan is ideal. At home we put
a non-stick pan on top of the saucepan and tape both handles
together to stop them moving about. If the surface is not
non-stick then it must first be cleaned very well and lightly
oiled.
Sift the flour into a large bowl. Mix the oil, vinegar and the
300ml water together in a jug. Slowly start beating the liquid
into the flour (a third at a time) using your fingers. Try to
beat out the lumps as they appear. Once all the water in the jug
s incorporated, beat well with your fingertips for 3 minutes
(as if whisking egg whites). Relax in the fridge, covered, for
about 45 minutes.
While the warka dough is resting, get your warka pan ready. Fill your saucepan with water to just over half-full and bring to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer, and cover with the warka pan. Never let the water run dry.
Remove the dough from the fridge and beat in the additional 2 tablespoons water. The dough should look glossy and smooth.
Wash and dry your hands, set a large plate beside you with
four pieces of greaseproof paper on top. Briefly beat the warka
one more time (this will momentarily strengthen the gluten and make it easier to handle). Pull off a piece of dough the size
of a golf ball in your hand, and take a little time to get the feel of controlling it in the palm of your hand. Dab the dough on to the hot warka pan and keep dabbing until you have formed a complete circle with no gaps, of about 25cm in diameter. With the other hand, peel off the pastry and place on a plate in between the paper. There is enough dough for the first two or three sheets to be testers. Continue until you have eight proper sheets. Every now and then give your arm a rest before beating the warka dough and picking up a fresh piece. You can make warka a few hours in advance, but be sure to wrap the plate in clingfilm, as it can dry out and crack.
Good flour is important,The warka dough must sit in the fridge for 45 minutes for the
gluten in the flour to develop.