chocolate mandazi

The countdown is on until I finish up work! Only three and a half weeks left and then to be a tourist - am headed to Mombasa for a week with Mama J to work on my tan, because all this el nino rains means my tan is fading and no-one is going to believe I've lived in Kenya for this year! I'll be spending Christmas here with friends which will be an exciting experience and partying in Nairobi for New Years Eve - what better way to overcome a hangover then by flying long distance right?

Let me tell you about one of the tastiest things I've come across in Kenya... mandazi. They make up one of the main food staples in my diet which is probably not the best thing but it's only for another 6 weeks and then I'll be good and eat salad. They are so easy to make, you could even do it in your kitchen. This time I made chocolate mandazi, but you can make plain ones by omitting the cocoa

Step 1: Gather your ingredients
- Self-raising flour
- Baking powder
- Cocoa
- mixed spices
- sugar
-salt
-warm water
There are no measurements, you just go with it until you get the consistency of the dough

Step 2: mix everything together to a dry dough and leave for at least 30 minutes

Step 3: Roll small portions into circles

Step 4: cut circles into quarters

Step 5: add cooking fat/oil to your pan (I shallow fried mine) and heat

Step 6: Fry the portions in hot oil/cooking fat until puffy and crispy, turning once

Step 7: EAT!

Mandazi are usually taken with chai (or kahawa in my cup) for breakfast or tea (or lunch). When I get home I plan on attempting to stuff these babies with something disgustingly awesome, maybe that shall finance my next adventure (whatever that may be)...