Maandazi Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. Make a well in the center, then use a rubber spatula to mix in the egg and coconut milk until the dough comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Dive the dough into 4 portions. Roll out 1 portion of dough into a circle about ¼-inch (6 ml) thick. Cut into 8 triangles. Repeat with the remaining dough portions.
• Heat the oil in a large pot until it reaches 350˚F (180˚C).
• Working in batches, fry the mandazi for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve as breakfast or a snack with 5. Kenyan coffee or chai.
• Enjoy!

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.

Steps:

• Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cardamom and salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl. Make a well in center of dry ingredients and add egg mixture. Mix together gradually with a fork until mixture forms a soft dough. If it's too sticky, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour (one at a time).
• Cover dough with a wet towel or plastic wrap and leave 30 minutes or longer.
• Heat 4 cups of oil in a deep, heavy pot (cast iron is preferable) until is reaches 360°F
• While oil is heating, roll dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle ½ inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut into 20 equal rectangles.
• Fry maandazi in batches of 5, for about 5 minutes per batch, turning to brown both sides. Hint: Turn the mandaazi before it gets too puffy, or the air bubbles will prevent you from turning it at all.
• Remove from oil when both sides are golden brown. Serve warm, dipped in powdered sugar if desired.

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.