Food – Tea Time Treats

These proudly Mzansi desserts will have guests flocking to your home this spring. Let's help you prep!

ORANGE KOEKSISTERS

Makes: 24 Prep Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

3 cups castor sugar

1 cup orange juice and rinds

1 cup water

1 tsp fresh ginger, crushed

¼ tsp cream of tartar

1 cinnamon stick

6 cardamom pods

2 cups flour

2 tsps baking powder

½ tsp nutmeg

Pinch salt

75 g butter

1 egg

½ cup milk

Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. In a saucepan, heat together sugar, orange juice and rind, water, ginger, cream of tartar, cinnamon stick and cardamom pods at low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and cook for 5 minutes until syrup is thickened slightly. Transfer to bowl and cool, then chill until very cold.

2. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt together, then rub in butter with fingertips. Make a well in the middle. In a jug mix egg and milk together, pour into the flour and butter mixture, mix until smooth dough has formed. Knead thoroughly. Cover with cling film and leave to rest for 30 minutes.

3. Roll out dough into 5 mm thickness, cut into 3 x 6 cm squares. Cut into 2 strips, leaving the one side uncut. Twist the dough.

4. Heat oil until very hot, fry the twisted dough for 6-7 minutes until golden. Remove and drain excess oil on paper towel.

5. Dip them into the cold syrup whilst still hot. Remove from syrup using a slotted spoon and place on a wired rack. Serve.