South African "vetkoek" (Bread Machine Recipe)

Ant's Note:

Very traditional 'deep-fried breadrolls'; sounds weird but unbelievably good. We grew up with these at least once a week: either filled with curried 'mince' (ground beef) (these we called curry bunnies); or just halved and spread with butter and preserves or syrup. Yumm.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 cups unbleached bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fast-rising active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup water (room temp)
• oil, for deep-frying

Directions:

1. Measure water into bread machine pan.
2. Add dry ingredients.
3. Add yeast.
4. Set machine on 'dough setting' and start.
5. When done (after 1 1/2 hrs) remove and divide into 10 balls on lightly floured surface. Flatten slightly.
6. Let rise for 1/2 hour in warm place.
7. Warm oil in pan - about 1 inch deep - on medium heat setting (not hot!).
8. Fry vetkoeks about 5 minutes a side (turn over when golden). Pack them quite close together in the pan: it helps with rising.
9. They should be the color of doughnuts when ready.
10. Drain on kitchen towels.
11. As soon as you can bear to touch them, slice open and spread with butter and your favorite preserve.
12. Enjoy.
13. (cooking time is bread machine cycle).

Reviews

[**Tinkerbell**]

This was a super easy recipe using the bread machine, and what a treat! The interior texture was very much like an English muffin, while the flavor and the fried exterior resembled an unsweetened doughnut. They were great with butter and jam, but my DH discovered they make a great savory sandwich when combined with North African Carthagenian Flank Steak and Braised Cabbage/Tanzanian and a little bit of horseradish. Thanks for sharing this one, Ant! Made and enjoyed for the February 2012 African Recipe Tag game. :)

[Glori-B]

Our congregation had an African themed fellowship dinner and I brought these rolls as my contribution. To quote one of the happy diners, "Glori-B, you should have made a hundred of these!" They were super simple to make in the bread machine and easy enough to fry up. I made these exactly as written, using coconut oil to fry. Thank you Ant for posting. I'll be making these frequently, I'm sure!

[Luschka]

So easy in the bread machine (okay, so the Voortrekker Tannies are turning in their graves! but the simpleness of this really made it worth it!) Delicious, minimal effort, no problems with the ingredients or otherwise - these would give my dad's a run for his money. And what a taste of home! Just awsome. Thank you!