Fried Mandazi Recipes

MANDAZI

Steps:

• An hour before starting, prepare all the ingredients at room temperature.
• Mix the yeast with 4 tablespoons of warm water (about 90 F / 33 C). Wait for 5 minutes.
• Combine beaten egg, coconut milk, butter and sugar and beat well.
• Mix the flour, cayenne pepper and spices.
• In the bowl of a mixer or in a large mixer, place the flour mixture and spices.
• Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast.
• Gradually incorporate the coconut milk, butter, egg and sugar.
• Finally, add warm water gradually until reaching a smooth and elastic dough.
• Once the ingredients are well mixed and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl, knead for about 5 minutes at medium speed.
• If kneading by hand, since the ingredients are well mixed and the dough has taken shape, transfer it to a floured flat surface and knead for 10 minutes.
• Put the dough in a large container, cover and let rest and rise for 45 minutes in a place away from drafts.
• Divide the dough into equal balls and, using the rolling pin, flatten the balls in a ½ inch (1,25 cm) thick round shape.
• Using a sharp knife or cookie cutter, divide dough into triangles or form traditional donuts (small circles with a hole in the center).
• Place the donuts on a floured surface.
• Cover and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat and fry the mandazis until golden brown.
• Remove and place on paper towels or a metal colander to remove excess oil.
• Sprinkle with sugar or icing sugar or eat as is.
• Serve immediately after frying.

MANDAZI (AFRICAN DONUTS)

Steps:

• Combine milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, sugar, egg, instant yeast, salt, and cardamom in a large bowl. Mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough comes together and is easily handled. Knead dough on a flat work surface until no longer sticky.
• Put dough back in the bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Press dough down gently. Knead it briefly and divide it into 4 portions. Roll each portion into a ball; keep covered with a cloth to prevent them from drying out.
• Roll 1 ball into a 1/3-inch-thick circle on a floured work surface. Cut into 4 triangles using a pizza cutter. Repeat with remaining balls of dough, keeping other dough covered.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan over medium heat. Fry dough triangles 3 or 4 at a time, without overcrowding, until puffed like balloons, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and continue frying until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough.

UGANDA MANDAZI --FRIED DOUGH

Steps:

• Mix together the flours and sugar. Add the egg and milk and stir to form a viscous dough.
• Meanwhile heat the oil in a pan to a depth of about 6cm. Once the oil is hot add the batter 1 tbsp at a time and fry until golden.
• Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper and serve once all the mandazi are done.

BEST MANDAZI

Steps:

• 1.All pastry ingredients should be allowed to come to room temperature if they have been in the refrigerator. If using yeast: mix the yeast with a few spoonfuls of the warm water.
• 2.In a mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, Sugar, and spice (cardamom is most common in Eastern Africa). Add the yeast. Mix the water, butter, milk, and egg together. Gradually add this mixture to the flour while kneading into dough. Knead until a smooth and elastic dough is formed-fifteen to twenty minutes. If using yeast: Place dough in a clean bowl, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or more. If using baking powder, let dough rest for several minutes.
• 3.Divide the dough into several hand-sized pieces. Roll or press the pieces into circles about one-half inch thick. Cut circles into halves or quarters (or whatever you like). Some cooks place the doughs on a cookie sheet and let them rise a second time.
• 4.Heat a few cups of vegetable oil to 300 degrees Farenheit in a skillet or deep pot. Fry the doughs in the hot oil, turning a few times, until they are golden brown all over. Fry only as many together as can float in the oil without touching one another. Place on paper towels to drain. Serve warm.

FRIED MANDAZI

Steps:

• Mix the flour, sugar and water together until an even dough.
• Add the 2 teaspoons of oil into the dough and continue mixing.
• Meanwhile, put the 3-4 cups of oil into a pan/pot on the stove and set on high.
• Beat the dough until soft yet firm.
• If the dough is still not yet as tough, add another half a cup of self rising flour and knead the dough.
• Once completely mixed and firm, flatten the dough with a rolling pin (dough should be about 1/8th of an inch thick).
• Cut the dough into shapes (I like to make hearts and circles, as well as triangles and squares).
• Carefully lay the cut out dough shapes into the pan and wait for the edges to brown. When they reach a medium brown, flip the dough and cook the other side.
• When the mandazi has finished cooking, lift out of the pan and keep in a covered pot.