Cake from Sertã

The Bolo da Sertã is a cake, quite similar to bread, that is very traditional in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Its name comes from the place where it is baked, the sertã, a type of unglazed clay frying pan.

The bread is made with corn flour, water, and salt, and no yeast is used in its recipe. It is round, flat, and can be eaten hot or cold.

History of Bolo da Sertã

Bolo da Sertã has Moorish origins and its manufacturing process is very similar to that of various places on the mainland and Madeira. In the past, this bread was considered a second-choice bread because it was made when there was no flour available.

In the Azores, it was usually made when there was a shortage of bread at home. Bolo da Sertã was thus a substitute for the original bread.

Today, this bread is very popular and is found in various restaurants, serving as an accompaniment to several typical and regional dishes.

How to Make Bolo da Sertã

Bolo da Sertã should be eaten hot and is usually served as an accompaniment to various dishes. However, it can also be enjoyed simply with butter.

Ingredients

• 1 full tablespoon of salt;
• 1 liter of boiling water;
• 2 kg of corn flour;
• 250 g of wheat flour.

Preparation Method

The cake dough is made with corn flour, hot water, salt, and wheat flour. Start by sifting the corn flour into a bowl. Then dissolve the salt in the boiling water.

Gradually add the water to the bowl with the corn flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. The mixture should not be homogeneous.

Let the dough rest and cool slightly, then sprinkle it with wheat flour. After it cools, knead it well until you have a firmer and more uniform dough.

If necessary, add a little more warm water. Then, form small flattened balls with a thickness of about a finger. Once the dough discs are formed, place them on the hot sertã. In the center of each cake, make a hole with your finger to facilitate the baking. Allow them to brown, then flip them over with a spatula to cook the other side.

Now that it’s ready, just enjoy!

Video – Recipe

We also share the recipe from Leonor Santos, from the YouTube channel Sabor dos Açores Leonor Santos:

Bolo da Sertã is a simple cake, yet very well-known and appreciated by the Azoreans. The way to prepare the cake varies from island to island, but generally, its preparation is quite similar. When visiting the Azores, be sure to try this cake.

References:

• Tradicional DGADR
• Photo (C) EasyPortugueRecipes