Maandazi = Bigñe/

Fried Buns

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 Cups white flour

3 tablespoons dry yeast

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

½ cup sugar

½ cup milk powder

½ cup coconut milk (goya) (can be substituted with warm milk)

½ cup water

1 qt cooking vegetable oil (depending on the size of deep fryer)

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Frying time: 10 minutes

Method

In a small bowl mix dry yeast and 1/3 cup warm water and leave it to rise for about 5-10 minutes (not from the above measurements)
Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Mix flour, cardamom, milk powder and sugar. Make a well in the middle of the flour. Add the yeast mixture and mix it through with hands. Add the coconut milk, and then the water to form a soft dough. Knead for about 5 – 7 minutes until completely all the dough is well mixed. (If the dough is little sticky wet you can rub some white flour in your palms to be able to hold it well).
Divide the dough into 5 equal potions.
Place the dough on flat surface, sprinkle flour at the bottom and on top of the dough and roll out to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut them into 4 equal triangle potions and keep them for about 15-30 minutes (time may vary depending on the room temperature) to rise double the size
Heat the vegetable oil deep fryer (250 c) ensure the oil is at least ¾ the size.
Fry 3 or 4 maandazi at a time depending on the size of the deep fryer. Dip the maandazi on the same facing side into hot oil, (the base will be at the bottom) they will rise like air filled balloons you need to turn them immediately to the other side. Fry the other side till they turn light brown and get them out. Do not over cook.
Keep them in a paper towel to drain any excessive oil.
Serve them hot or at room temperature.

Cooks tip.

Do not over knead the dough, the quicker the mix the better maandazi will be very soft. If you do not have coconut milk you can substitute with milk all the way. You will need 01 cup of warm milk, do not add water and omit the powdered milk. While frying do not turn them before they rise, they will be very flat and also do not let them over rise they bust when rising they will be filled with oil.