Koeksisters!

A twisted plait of syrupy deep fried South African goodness!

Koeksister Recipe

Makes approximately 35 koeksisters Ingredients 500 ml (2 cups) Cake Flour 20 ml (4 tsp) Baking Powder 3 ml ( ½ tsp) Salt 25 ml (5 tsp) Butter 125 ml ( ½ cup) Sour Milk or Buttermilk or water and Lemon Juice Oil, for frying Syrup 1kg white sugar 500 ml (2 cups) Water 2 pieces of Ginger, bruised 2 ml Cream of Tartar Pinch of Salt Grated rind and juice of ½ a Lemon

Method

1. Sift together the dry ingredients and rub in the butter using your fingertips, or cut it in with a pastry blender.
2. Mix with the liquid to a soft dough, which can easily be kneaded. Use more liquid if necessary.
3. Knead thoroughly until small bubbles form under the surface of the dough, cover with a damp cloth and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
4. Roll to a thickness of 5 mm and cut into 5 mm strips 7 cm long. Place the ends of three strips on top of the other, press together and plait. When plaited, press the ends together again.
5. Fry in hot, deep fat (170°C) until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper for a moment and then immerse in ice cold syrup.
6. Remove, allow excess syrup to drip off, and leave to dry on a wire rack.

Syrup

1. Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Heat, while stirring, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Cover and boil for one minute.
2. Remove the lid and boil for a further 5 minutes. Do not stir.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool thoroughly in a refrigerator if possible. 

 Then stuff your face!


Recipe from Huletts. Image from Phuthu.