Maandazi Recipe

A maandazi is a tennis ball sized gem of lightly fried dough the mamas in our Tanzanian village would cook for us for breakfast most mornings. This East African deliciousness is even better when stuffed with peanut butter, chocolate, jam, cinnamon, and/or banana OR accompanied with chai (tea in Swahili). 

I had to meticulously observe my mama prepare the maandazi dough so as to know the amount of each ingredient because the mamas do not measure things out. The amount for each ingredient is my estimation and will make about 30 maandazi. 

What you'll need:

- 7 cups flour (we used white, but I'm sure whole wheat is good too)

- 2 cups water (room temp)

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Do it!:

1. mix the yeast with a few spoonfuls of the warm water. 

2. Add sugar and salt to the water. 

3. Add the flour and gradually add in the water while kneading into dough. 

4. Knead until a smooth and elastic dough is formed - fifteen to twenty minutes.

5. Cover dough and let rise for one hour.

6. Divide the dough into several pieces.

7. Stuff dough with peanut butter, chocolate, jam, etc... if you like.

8. Heat a few cups of vegetable oil in a skillet or deep pot. Fry the dough 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. 

9. Let cool a little and EAT!!