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Varango Halwa (Halua ya Uwanga) ®

INGREDIENTS

1 cup edible starch (varango)
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil (ghee)
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp whole cardamom seeds
100 gm flaked blanched almonds
pinch of saffron
pinch of red or orange food coloring

PREPARATION

Take two cups of water and soak the flour overnight if possible or for at least one hour. Sieve the mixture a few times in cold water. Put the mixture in a saucepan and add all the ingredients except the nuts and cook over a medium heat stirring continuously so the mixture does not stick to the pan or become thick and sticky. Reduce heat and add half the nuts and mix well. Pre-heat the oven to 160 degree C (gas Mark 3 or 325 F) put the mixture into the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve in a shallow dish and decorate with the remaining nuts.

SERVE You can serve halwa warm or cold with black coffee in small cups.

Mandazi ®

Mandazi (or Maandazi, also called Mahamri or Mamri) are East African fried breads similar to doughnuts (donuts) popular in the coastal Swahili areas of Kenya and Tanzania and popular "upcountry". They are eaten with tea or coffee for breakfast, for a snack anytime, and with the main course for lunch or dinner. They are not as sweet as U.S. style doughnuts and do not have a sugar glaze or icing.

INGREDIENTS

6 cups flour
2 tbsp ghee or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 sachet yeast (Fleischmann's Quick Rise 50% less rising time) and 1 tsp sugar dissolved in half a cup lukewarm water
10 cardamoms (or more if desired)

PREPARATION

Mix flour, sugar, salt, cardamom and ghee. Add the yeast mixture, and some more warm water enough to form a soft (not sticky) dough. Knead the dough with the palm of your hands for about 5 minutes. Divide the dough into five parts. Roll each part to about 1/3 inch thick and cut into triangles.
Place on floured surface and allow to rise for about 2 1/2 hours. (Do not leave for more than 3 hours if using the above mentioned instant yeast.)
Deep fry in oil of your preference.

SERVE Serve with your favorite beverage.