Kazakh: Baursaks (Fried Dough Pastries)

Recipe by Aliya Dosmanbetova <aliyaserikbaevna@gmail.com>

(makes about 30 pieces)

Baursaks are a beloved Kazakh treat similar to fried donuts. They're luscious golden fried dough that is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. When served warm with honey or jam, they remind me of childhood mornings when my mother would make them fresh for us.

Ingredients:

• 700 g (3 cups) all purpose flour
• 5 g (1 tsp) instant dry yeast
• 200 ml (¾ cup) whole milk
• 200 ml (¾ cup) water
• 5 g (1 tsp) salt
• 5 g (1 tsp) sugar
• vegetable oil (for kneading)
• 3 cups coconut oil (for frying)

Procedure:

1. Sift flour into a mixing bowl
2. Add yeast, milk, water, salt, and sugar; mix well
3. Oil your hands, then transfer dough to cutting board
4. Knead for 1 minute
5. Transfer back to bowl and cover with wet towel; let rest for 1 hour to rise
6. Wet your hands with water, then transfer dough to cutting board and knead again
7. Transfer dough back to bowl and cover; let rest again for 30 minutes to continue rising
8. Roll out dough with a rolling pin on a floured surface (target about .5 cm or ¼ inch thickness)
9. Preheat oil in a frying pan
10. Cut dough into 1-cm (½ -inch) portions
11. Roll into balls (sprinkle with more flour as needed)
12. Deep fry in oil until golden brown (flip at least once)
13. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels
14. Serve immediately