 Nigeria
Nigerian  Sweet Puffs
The sweet, fried shortcrust pastry made in this recipe can be twisted into a variety of decorative shapes to be served as a treat on special occasions, particularly at Kwanzaa and Christmas. The puffs are common throughout West Africa and, like many traditional African dishes, have spread to the West Indies.
There are two methods for making the pastry: the rubbing method and the creaming method.
Rubbing Method
Ingredients:
- 500 g (1lb) plain flour
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- Salt to taste
- 60 g (2 oz) butter
- 60 g ( 2oz) caster sugar
- 2.5 g (½ teaspoon) grated nutmeg
- ½ beaten egg
- 180 mL (6 fl oz) half milk/half water
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Preparation:
In a bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt together and rub in the butter. Add the sugar and nutmeg and make a well in the center.
Blend the egg and the milk-water mixture together. Pour into the center of the flour and butter and mix well by hand to form a pastry dough. On a lightly floured chopping board, roll out the pastry to an even thickness. Cut into 5 cm (2 in) diamond shapes and cut a slit in the middle of each diamond. Pull one diagonal end through the center cut.
Heat oil to very hot and fry the pieces of twisted pastry until brown and cooked (try one first). Drain off excess oil on paper towels and serve hot or cold.
Serves 4
Creaming Method
Ingredients:
- 60 g (2 oz) butter
- 125 g ( 4oz) caster sugar
- 1 egg
- 60 mL (2 fl oz) diluted milk (30 mL /1 fl oz water and 30 mL/1 fl oz milk)
- 2.5 g (½ teaspoon) grated nutmeg
- flavoring essence of your choice e.g. vanilla, banana, coconut or rum
- Salt to taste
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 60 g (2 oz plain flour
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Preparation:
In a bowl cream the butter and sugar together. Blend in the egg. Add the diluted milk, nutmeg and flavoring essence of your choice. Set aside.
In another bowl, sift the salt, baking powder and lour together. Add the egg and milk mix to form a firm dough. Roll out on a floured board and proceed as with the rubbing method.
Serve 4 |
