Mandazi is one of Kenyas's favourite biting. It originated from Swahili culture and it is made by deep frying leavened wheat dough.
Today I will show you how I make my variation of this sweet delicacy. The cardamom Mandazi.
You will need:
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups of wheat flour
2 table spoons of sugar
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of Dry Yeast (You can use baking powder)
1 egg (or skip this)
1 cup of warm water
1 table spoon of vegetable cooking fat or margarine
METHOD
In a large bowl, mix flour, cardamom, sugar, salt with a folk or spoon. As soon as everything mixes well together, Put in your eggs and mix. In a separate cup, put in your warm water and mix in the yeast. Make sure that the yeast completely dissolved. Take this mixture and put in the flour mix.
Using clean hands, start kneading your dough, adding water or flour when needed until the dough stops sticking on your hands and it is now a soft consistency. Pour in your vegetable cooking fat and continue kneading.
Please note: If using the baking powder, you can just put it directly in the flour mix.
Once you have your soft dough, take a Cling film or dry cloth and cover your dough. Let it sit for an hour to allow the dough to rise.
Start of with a clean surface and spread some flour to avoid sticking of the dough while rolling. Cut off a generous amount of the dough and roll a large flat piece.
Take a clean glass, turn it upside down and press into the dough making round pieces. You can also can out triangle shapes using a knife if you prefer.
In a Large deep frying pan or wok, Put in about 21/2 cups of oil and heat till the oil is sizzling hot.
Now you can start frying your prepared pieces, a few at a time. Do not overcrowd the pan.
At this point, you have to work fast because they start cooking pretty fast.
And there you have it....Soft delicious Mandazi!
They can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack. One can also make various flavours eg, lemon, cinnamon, vannila or just plain .
Enjoy with a hot cup of tea!!
