Funkaso (hausa Fritters)

Ingredients

• 4 cups wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1½ teaspoon baking powder
• to taste vegetable oil

Steps

1. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.
2. Mix in the yeast, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Mix in enough water to form a sticky and loose dough.
4. Cover the dough.
5. Let rise for 2 hours in a warm place.
6. Gently deflate the dough.
7. Bring it together in the bowl.
8. Heat a few inches of oil in a skillet or pot over medium heat.
9. If you have a thermometer, aim for 350°F / 175°C.
10. A small piece of dough should immediately float and start bubbling.
11. Dip the back of a ladle or other large cooking spoon into a bowl of water to prevent sticking.
12. Scoop a handful of dough onto the back of the ladle.
13. Stick your finger in the center.
14. Pull it repeatedly towards the outside to make a hole in the center.
15. Turn the ladle over into the hot oil to release the dough into the oil—the ring should slip off.
16. Fry the dough until golden brown and cooked through on all sides.
17. You can work in batches as long as you do not overcrowd the fryer.
18. Remove the fritter(s) from the oil.
19. Drain off any excess on a cooling rack.
20. Serve as desired with soup or sugar.