PANAMANIAN FRY BREAD (HOJALDRAS)

Panamanian Fry Bread (Hojaldras) image

Provided by Vickie Parks

Time 2h20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

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3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
3/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 large egg
2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup powdered sugar or cinnamon/sugar mix (for dusting)

Steps:

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well about the size of your fist in the flour mixture.
2. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the milk, 3 Tbsp oil, and egg. With a wooden spoon, stir the milky mixture into the flour well, stirring until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Knead the dough in the bowl for about a minute or until it turns into a ball that doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl. If it's too sticky, add more flour; if it's too crumbly, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it forms into a ball. Transfer to floured surface and knead until the dough is soft and elastic. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (To save time, you can can prepare the dough up to this step, and all that's left in the morning is frying the dough.)
4. Remove dough from refrigerator and pinch off pieces of dough about the size of a gold ball. Pinch and stretch the dough into 5-inch ovals. They should be roughly shaped and not necessarily even ovals all around.
5. Heat the 2 cups oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Drop the flattened dough pieces into the hot oil and wait for them to rise to the surface, about 2 minutes. Turn them over to allow the other side to brown for about 30 seconds.
6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to triple-layered paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let cool, then lightly dust with powdered sugar (or a cinnamon/sugar mix). Serve immediately.