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1
Combine the water, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp sea salt in a medium bowl. Sift in 1 cup of chickpea flour and whisk the ingredients together, making sure no clumps remain. Cover and let the batter rest at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or in the fridge overnight.
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2
In the meantime, prepare the portobellos: wipe the caps clean with a damp paper towel, remove the stems, and, with a small spoon, scrape out the black gills from the underside of the mushrooms. Discard the gills. (Purists would argue that throwing out the gills removes a lot of flavor but it also prevents the gills from discoloring the batter). Chop the mushroom caps into 1/2-inch cubes or smaller.
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3
Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large pan over medium sized heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and saute on medium-high heat for a few minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to saute until the mushrooms are cooked through. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Add the balsamic vinegar and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring often, until most of the liquid in the pan has reduced. Remove from heat.
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4
Preheat the oven to 450 F and place a cast-iron skillet into the oven for a few minutes. Carefully add 1 tbsp of avocado oil (or other cooking oil) into the hot skillet and swirl it around to evenly coat the bottom. Add the batter to the pan and swirl it around to make sure the batter and the mushrooms are evenly distributed. Bake for about 15 minutes and then slide the pan under the broiler for another 3 to 5 minutes.
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5
Top the hot socca with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Allow the socca to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes in the pan. With a heat-proof spatula, gently loosen the edges. Slide the spatula under the pancake to make sure the bottom is completely loose from the pan and then slide it out onto a plate or a baking sheet.
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6
In the same pan you used for the mushrooms, heat a tablespoon of avocado oil (or other cooking oil) over high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes (either halved or whole) and cook them on high heat for a few minutes until they're blistered and lightly charred, shaking the pan often. Season them lightly with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper and remove from heat.
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7
Cut the socca into triangles and top with the blistered cherry tomatoes and whatever other condiments you like. Serve immediately.
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8
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a day or two but it's best to reheat before serving.
