Kokoro (nigerian Cornmeal Snacks)

Ingredients

• 1½ cups corn flour
• 200 ml water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon powdered cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup oil

Steps

1. Combine 1 cup of the cornflour with the water, cayenne pepper, salt, and sugar in a pot.
2. Mix well to combine everything and remove any lumps.
3. Set the pot on the stove over medium heat.
4. Cook, stirring, until the mixture bubbles and thickens to a dough.
5. Remove the pot from the heat.
6. Let the dough cool down.
7. Add the remaining ½ cup cornflour to the dough.
8. Mix with a spatula.
9. Pinch off pieces of the dough.
10. On your work surface, roll the pieces with your hands to get ropes ½–1 inch thick and a couple inches long.
11. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
12. If you have a thermometer, 350°F (175–180°C) is ideal.
13. If you don’t, place a test piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle but not burn.
14. Place the dough ropes in the oil, working in batches as needed to prevent overcrowding.
15. Fry until golden brown on all sides.
16. Remove the kokoro from the oil.
17. Drain off any excess.