South African Vetkoek Bread Machine Recipes

SOUTH AFRICAN TRADITIONAL VETKOEK (FRIED BREAD)

Steps:

• Mix lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to bubble slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Sift flour and salt together in a large bowl.
• Pour water mixture over flour mixture and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. Cover bowl with clean cloth and let dough rise until until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
• Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a tennis ball; roll until smooth. Flatten ball of dough until it is the size of palm; set aside on a floured work surface. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry flattened pieces of dough in the hot oil, 2 to 3 pieces at a time, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

VETKOEK WITH MEAT FILLING

Steps:

• Stir sugar in the lukewarm water and add the yeast.
• Sieve the flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
• Add oil to the yeast liquid.
• Mix dry ingredients with yeast liquid using a wooden spoon.
• Work to a firm dough, adding extra flour if needed, until sides of bowl are clean.
• Turn dough on to a lightly floured table and knead thouroughly until it is firm, elastic and no longer sticky (about 10 minutes).
• Shape dough into a ball and place into mixing bowl and cover with cloth.
• Allow dough to double in size and dough springs back when pressed with a floured finger (60 minutes in a warm place, 2 hours at room temperature).
• Turn risen dough onto a lightly floured surface, flatten to knock out air bubbles and knead to make firm. Flatten to about 1 cm thick (little less than inch) and cut pieces into 8 cm x 8 cm (3" x 3").
• Cook in warm oil until brown.
• Slice open and smear with butter, jam or mince filling (many people actually would use all three).
• Mince filling:.
• Fry onions in oil until light brown. Add ground beef and cook for about 15 minutes. Add potatoes and enough water to cook gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add vegetable curry and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. The mince should not be watery.

SOUTH AFRICAN "VETKOEK" (BREAD MACHINE RECIPE)

Steps:

• Measure water into bread machine pan.
• Add dry ingredients.
• Add yeast.
• Set machine on 'dough setting' and start.
• When done (after 1 1/2 hrs) remove and divide into 10 balls on lightly floured surface. Flatten slightly.
• Let rise for 1/2 hour in warm place.
• Warm oil in pan - about 1 inch deep - on medium heat setting (not hot!).
• Fry vetkoeks about 5 minutes a side (turn over when golden). Pack them quite close together in the pan: it helps with rising.
• They should be the color of doughnuts when ready.
• Drain on kitchen towels.
• As soon as you can bear to touch them, slice open and spread with butter and your favorite preserve.
• Enjoy.
• (cooking time is bread machine cycle).