Hello eSTEEMed humans of the interwebs!
Today I present to you probably the most unhealthy thing South Africa has dreamed up.
It is also probably one of the most delicious.
But. Diabetes alert, for realsies though. They aren't good for you. They're good though, soooo goood.
Once a year treat, yes? YAAASSSS.
So, we're known for being the Braai capital of the world (we're the only ones who braai, so I feel like it's a default win...the rest of the world Barbeques....but Braais are different...I've lost my train of thought) and we're notorious meat eaters. We eat SO much meat.
I'm here to prove that while we do like steak or a good boerewors (farmer's sausage, no homo) on the braai, we are also nice people and we're nice to vegans.
This one can be made for those who don't mind a little milk and butter, but can easily be adapted for our vegan fronds (fronds is vegan for friends, catch up now.) around the world.
First, a little history.
Koeksisters literally translates to ''Cake Sisters.''
Legend has it a pair of sisters decided to braid their doughnuts like they braid their hair and fry them until they're golden as the sun and sweet as their sisterly bond.
The result is a little golden braid with a crisp outer shell and a sticky liquid center, scented traditionally only with lemon.
Since I've moved to Cape Town, I've fallen in love with the Malay flavour profiles and added Cardamom, Star Anise, Orange, Vanilla and Cinnamon to the party all held together with a good pinch of salt. The adjustment has changed them from a pretty delicious snack that tastes of pure sugar, to something a little rounder and warmer (as a result I've also become a little rounder....and with winter coming it's bound to keep me warmer....)
While they're usually served as is with a strong cup of coffee, I add fresh tart fruit to cut through the sweetness. We're reaching the end of raspberry season so these ruby beauties did the trick.
Here's how to make 'em:
INGREDIENTS
SYRUP
- 1 1/2 Cup water
- 2 1/2 Cups White Sugar
- Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
- Zest of 1 Orange.
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Star Anise
- 2 Cardamom Pods
- Pinch of Salt
Method:
- Bring water and sugar to a boil in a large pot with star anise and cardamom.
- Stir until completely dissolved and boil for 10 minutes over medium heat. Do not let it colour.
- Stir in lemon and orange zest, lemon juice, salt and vanilla and decant into a glass or steel bowl (it's just easier to clean.)
- Place in freezer to chill while you make your dough
DOUGH:
- 1 1/2 Cups Cake Flour
- 4 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tbsp Salted Butter (or margarine for a vegan version.)
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk (or coconut milk for a vegan version.)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Salt.
To Fry:
- 3 Cups Canola or Vegetable Oil.
Method:
- Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a large mixing bowl.
- Melt butter in microwave-safe container and add milk and vanilla.
- Pour milk and butter mixture into flour and mix to form a dough- if too dry add milk a Tbsp at a time until it comes together.
- Knead lightly and roll out into a 1cm/ 1/2 inch thick rectangle.
- Cut into thin 1cm wide strips and braid 3 strips together. Pinch ends to seal. They're traditionally served in long braids, but I cut mine in quarters to make sweet little cocktail Koeksisters.
- Heat oil in large pot until a flick of flour dropped in bubbles gently. Add a few koeksisters at a time, careful not to let them touch or they'll stick together, and fry until golden brown and floating.
- Remove from oil and immediately place into cold syrup to soak until cooled completely. Drain on a wire rack to let excess drip off and refrigerate or freeze until serving (They're best straight out of the freezer, as the syrup prevents them from freezing solid.)
** The syrup must be ice-cold or they'll go soggy, check the temperature regularly and return to the freezer to chill before frying the next few.
Sprinkle them with raspberries or a drizzle of passion fruit pulp and serve with strong black coffee.
The World's Most Versatile Dough use it to make crusty, delicious Rosemary and Olive Bread
Egg Basics 1: The Sexiest Boiled Egg You Ever Did See
For more food related stuff that'll make you fat just looking at it:
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Ahhh, another fellow South African and Capetonian at that :)
Thanks to @lizelle for pointing me in your direction.
Lol, I enjoyed your writing style. Adding a few chuckles inbetween what could otherwise just be another recipe.
You should consider joining with some fellow South Africans on our Team South Africa Discord group. You can find us here if you'd like: https://discord.gg/uB6xCd
Again, great little post! Thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Hello fellow Capetonian! Awesome to meet you! Thanks for the intro @lizelle!
Thanks so much for the feedback- will definitely check out the Discord group- will shout if my technologically challengedness gets in the way.
Sure thing, no probs. We have some interweb goodies in the group, lol
Thank you for helping out @therneau :)
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TrufflePigAlways nice to learn about new treats all over the world! Ive never heard of this one! , thanks for sharing it @whattheduck🤗
They're delicious! Definitely on the list if you ever visit South Africa! Thanks for popping by!
Oh @whattheduck, this was such an awesome fun read, you had me chuckling all the way :):)
I loooove koeksisters but am married to a type 1 Diabetic, so this is one treat I simply cannot make, hubby's had diabetes since he was seven, is approaching his 60 year anniversary so despite my baking, I've managed to keep him going strong :)
I used to make them for fund raisers when my kids were at school and must confess, I do buy koeksisters but hide them in the nether-depths of the fridge...more than once a year!
Really enjoy your posts!
Thanks so much for stopping by @lizelle! I wonder if they could be made with agave nectar or another sugar substitute? I've also only just learned that there's a Malay treat called a koe'sister, a soft donut rolled in coconut and not nearly as sweet- sure they can be dipped in a little stevia or agave for a similar effect. Astounded at the amount of diabetes-friendly recipes popping up all over the place! Will pop you a link whenever I find anything tasty! My new favourite is avocado and coconut mousse sweetened with xylotol- you wouldn't believe there's avo in it! You also have the lovely butter avos at your disposal, the ones here take quite a lot more blending! Congrats on your salad, btw!
Worth giving it a try, I love those Malay Koe'sisters, but then I love anything with coconut!
That mousse sounds great, would love the recipe!
Thank you @whattheduck, did not expect a placing at all, yours was amazing!
Here's the link for the mousse, I tried it with chocolate chips and it ended up oily- definitely recommend using cacao powder instead. I've also figured out a blended banana makes a great substitute for the sweetener. Let me know if you try it! https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/10/15/avocado-chocolate-mousse-vegan-healthy/
Hmmm... I can't upvote, but If I could, I would have. I also do Koeksisters - my recipe on my other platform - will bring it across in due course. I like your use of different spices from me, and also in the dough/batter.
About the syrup: I have discovered that the secret to stopping it from crystalising is NOT to stir it AT ALL. Then you can keep them in the fridge rather than the freezer - in the syrup which then soaks into them. Oh and to keep the syrup cold, and I need to do that sometimes when it's 40 in McGregor, is to keep it in a metal pot and to refrigerate while doing the dough and letting it rest (also important) and then have it in an ice bath while you do the frying. Perhaps I'm teaching an old dog new tricks, but if it helps.... :D
Hi @fionasfavourites, thanks so much for the feedback! It's always a struggle keeping the syrup cold so will definitely try your tricks! Lovely to meet another South African here too!
You're welcome @whattheduck! Lots of Saffas around. Are you a member of #teamsouthafrica Discord Server? Why not join us - locals and expats from all over https://discord.gg/HxUPk
Hi! Lovely @lizelle only just introduced me to the Discord server last, still getting the hang of things and meeting everyone!
Hope to see you there!