Moroccan Flatbreads (R'ghayef) With Peperonata And Feta

Chelsea Mills • October 13, 2020

A great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or lunches.

Pair these veggie-stuffed flatbreads with a salad for an inspired North African meal. Make up to one day ahead; reheat breads in a convection oven set for 350F for about 15 minutes. A leftover flatbread with soup or salad also makes a good light lunch.

You can stuff the flatbreads with anything you'd like, just don't overstuff them because the dough is thin and will tear. I did not use the stuffing called for in the original recipe I had from Cooking Light's October 2009 issue. Instead, I made a Peperata and used that with feta to stuff them. They turned out amazing!

Homemade breads are at the heart of Moroccan cuisine and culture: Used as serving utensils to scoop up food at meals, they're also a symbol of hospitality since bread is shared with guests. Carry on the Mediterranean tradition by welcoming diners to your table with Moroccan Flatbreads, substantial enough for an entrée or as a partner for soup or salad. Add cheese or herbs to vary the filling. Follow these steps for working with the dough and shaping the breads.

INGREDIENTS
Bread Dough
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast 
  • 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water (100° to 110°) 
  • 9 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 cups) 
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • Olive Oil
Peperonata (I did 1/3 spicy and 2/3 regular - that's why there are two pans in the photos)
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 6 cloves of garlic (or more)
  • 2 cups of chopped onions - about 2 medium
  • 4 cups of chopped bell peppers, any colors
  • chopped jalapeno (if you like it spicy)
  • 1 cup of my Instapot Tomato Sauce    If you don't have any pasta sauce, you can use pureed tomatoes with basil or oregano and a pinch of salt.
  • 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • Feta Cheese
DIRECTIONS

To make the Peperonata:
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until just starting to turn golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in onions, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat if peppers start to char.
  2. Add pasta sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower heat to maintain simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are very soft, about 1 hour. Season with salt. Stir in vinegar. Cool to room temperature before stuffing into bread dough.
To make the bread:
  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl; let stand 5 minutes. 
  2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; mix on low in your mixer for about 2 minutes or until smooth. 
  3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3 minutes. Shape dough into a ball; invert bowl over the dough, and let stand for 15 minutes. 
  4. Uncover; knead dough 3 minutes. Divide dough into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a ball; dip fingers in olive oil and lightly coat the plastic wrap before placing it over the dough balls; let stand for 30 minutes.
  5. Working with one dough portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), carefully flatten each portion into a 6 1/2-inch circle (dough will be delicate). I used a rolling pin and drops of olive oil to keep the bread from sticking to the rolling pin.
  6. Spoon 2 tablespoons of your mixture in center of dough and top with feta. Fold long sides of dough over filling. Fold one short side under dough. Fold other short side over dough. Gently press square of dough to seal. Repeat procedure with remaining dough portions and filling mixture.
  7. Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 flatbreads to pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden. Transfer flatbreads to a parchment paper-lined platter. Repeat procedure with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil and 4 flatbreads. Serve immediately.
Make Ahead: Make flatbreads through step seven and let cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Reheat in a convection oven set to bake at 350F for about 15 minutes or until warm before serving.

Serving size is 2 flatbreads
WW Pts 9 points per serving (4.5 points per flatbread - without cheese)

By Chelsea Mills October 14, 2024
Warm, buttery apple stacks with a cinnamon-sugar twist
By Chelsea Mills October 5, 2024
Fun weekend breakfast bake
By Chelsea Mills September 29, 2024
A fluffy, citrus-kissed blueberry Dutch Baby topped with lemon curd
By Chelsea Mills September 29, 2024
Italian twist on a Frittata bake
By Chelsea Mills September 22, 2024
A cozy dip for date night
By Chelsea Mills September 11, 2024
Peanut Butter & Nutella Skillet Cookie: A Dreamy Duo in Every Bite
By Chelsea Mills September 11, 2024
Mini Cast Iron Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Sweet Treat with a Special Twist
By Chelsea Mills February 12, 2023
This recipe I created from looking up various pizza twist recipes. The inspiration comes from the Boston's pizza twists.
By Chelsea Mills December 17, 2022
From Mario Batali's NY Restaurant BABBO
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork With Sweet Potatoes & Pears
By Chelsea Mills October 20, 2020
This is a recipe I found in 2011 from Real Simple and thought sounded fantastic. I finally got around to making it and it was incredibly easy and tasted wonderful too.
More Posts
Share by: