Mandazi

When I read Beccy’s post yesterday, it immediately triggered a memory from my college years–well, my second round of college years. I had originally gone to college right after high school, but in my sophomore year, it was required that we declare a major, and I had NO idea what I wanted to focus on as my major. So, rather settle for ‘whatever,’ I left school, and didn’t return until I returned to that same college town with my two young children, to work and to finish my degree. That small college town was home to many international students, and over the course of our time there, several of these students came into our home, some to share the living space for a while, some just to visit and share some home cooked meals. Some of them also introduced us to some of their favorite foods from back home, and one of the favorites that we have carried with us is Mandazi, an East African fried dough. I remember standing with Patrick, a student from Kenya, in my small apartment kitchen as he walked me through the recipe from beginning to end. He and his wife and children, along with me, my children and a few others, happily munched through the evening on this fast and frugal treat from his home.

I’ve made these several times over the years since then, and one of the wonderful things about them is their flexibility–they can be a breakfast bread, a snack, and even as a dinner bread made with less sugar and without the confectioners sugar topping.

Since I had not made them recently, I thought I would try to find the recipe online to confirm the recipe ingredients and amounts. And I found several sources for the recipe, but there were a couple of big differences:  All the recipes I found required kneading, offering the option of using yeast instead of baking powder, and required cutting and forming the dough before baking. Now, I enjoy the yeast bread process immensely, but part of the joy of the recipe Patrick shared with me was the fact that it could be whipped up quickly, very spur of the moment, and the dough, thick and sticky, could just be scooped into the hot oil to fry. Why mess with a good thing? Why fix it if it’s not broken? Besides, Jim and I wanted mandazi NOW, not in a couple of hours. So I stuck with my remembered recipe, and here I share it with you.

Mandazi

Oil for deep frying

1.5 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2  teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 t. spice of your choice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or a mix of your choice)

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

2 tablespoons melted butter

Confectioners sugar, optional

Heat oil in deep fryer or in small deep pan on stove to 375 degrees. Whisk together all the dry ingredients. Gently beat egg, then whisk together with milk and melted butter. Combine all ingredients well, ending with a very thick and sticky dough. When oil has reached temperature, using a 1 tablespoon scoop or a spoon and a tablespoon measure, drop scoops of dough into the hot oil, about 6 at a time. Fry until a nice deep golden brown all over, turning the balls as needed. They should be done in 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towel, and serve sprinkled with confectioners sugar if desired. Best served warm.

Here is what they should like look when about done: