Sfenj - North African Beignets

1. 1

   Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water and set aside.

2. 2

   Mix the flour, salt and rest of the warm water in a large bowl.

3. 3

   Add the water and yeast mixture, and stir vigorously with your hand or a spoon until smooth.

4. 4

   The dough should be too sticky to knead or shape, almost like a batter.

5. 5

   Cover the bowl, and leave the dough to rise for two to four hours, until double or triple in bulk.

6. 6

   In a wide pot, heat an inch or more of vegetable oil until hot.

7. 7

   Dip your hands in water, and pull off a piece of dough about the size of a small plum.

8. 8

   Use your fingers to make a hole in the ball of dough, stretch the hole wide to make a ring, and place the dough in the hot oil.

9. 9

   Repeat with the remaining dough, wetting your hands as necessary to keep the dough from sticking as you work with it.

10. 10

    Don't overcrowd the rings in the hot oil.

11. 11

    Fry the sfenj until golden brown, turning once or twice (two to four minutes each side).

12. 12

    Remove the cooked sfenj to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

13. 13

    Serve hot with powdered sugar or honey.

14. 14

    Serve the sfenj hot.

15. 15

    If desired, dip the sfenj in sugar to sweeten them.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.