Mithe Shakkarpara ( Sweet, Crispy, Fried Pastry Dough )

This was something my mother used to make a lot when we were very young. I remember she would always have one of the plastic jars on her countertop filled with these treats. We would snack on this anytime we felt peckish. Today I am continuing that tradition, wanting to share it with my family.

These sweet, crispy fried dough treats go great with a hot cup of tea. If you roll these a little on the thicker side you will get a nice crunchy-on-the-outside-and-soft-on-the-inside shakkarpara, if however you are not into soft and chewy, just roll these a little thinner and then they will be crispy all over.

 

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose four / maida
1/2 cup milk ( you can use either 2% or full fat )
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp sesame seeds / til
1/4 tsp salt
oil, for deep frying


Method

• In a medium to large mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, sesame seeds and salt and mix well together.
• Next goes in the ghee, rub it into the flour mixture.
• Using the milk, make a nice soft and pliable dough ( just like how we make for rotis ). Cover and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat some oil in your wok, deep fryer or kadhai.
• Divide the dough into 4-5 balls. Roll out each dough into a thick circle ( you can dust some of the all purpose flour to help in rolling, but  generally you should not need it ).
• Using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut into small diamond-shaped pieces ( or any shape you so desire ).
• Deep fry till golden brown. Remove and drain on an absorbent paper. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
• When cooled, store in an air tight container, at room temperature. These can stay fresh and crisp for about a week.