Indian Fried Biscuits Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together the all-purpose flour, semolina, salt, pepper, cumin seeds, and vegetable shortening.
• Mix lightly to obtain a bread-crumb consistency.
• Add equal amounts of milk and warm water to make a stiff dough.
• Knead the dough well for 15-20 minutes, cover, and set aside for another 20 minutes.
• Make lemon-sized balls of the dough, and roll into 3-inch diameter circles ('puris') on a floured board, using a rolling pin.
• Prick each'puri' with a fork a few times.
• Heat oil (for frying) in a heavy frying pan and deep fry the puris, one at a time (turning every minute or so for even browning), until golden brown.
• Remove from heat and drain excess oil on tissue.
• Serve plain, or with a sweet/sour chutney.
• This can be stored in an airtight tin for upto a week.

Steps:

• Split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Pound the seeds to a powder in a pestle and mortar with 1 tsp of the sugar.
• Beat the butter until soft, then gradually add the remaining icing sugar and the ground cardamom. Continue beating until light and creamy, about 10 mins.
• Sieve the flour and gram flour into a bowl and whisk in the semolina and a pinch of salt. Stir into the butter and sugar in two increments. Gently bring everything together into a soft dough.
• Roll the dough into small, marble-sized balls with your hands and arrange, spaced out, on baking trays lined with baking parchment.
• Slightly flatten the top of each ball and press a whole almond or some chopped pistachios in the middle of each one. Chill for 20 mins.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Bake the biscuits for about 20 mins or until golden. Leave to cool before storing in an airtight tin.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
• Stir in other ingredients, and enough flour to form a soft dough.
• Knead lightly for 5 or 6 minutes then form into a ball.
• Let dough rise till doubled, 40 - 60 minutes.
• Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
• Roll out to 1/2" thickness and cut with 1 1/2" biscuit cutter.
• Let biscuits rise for 15 - 20 minutes while frying oil/fat heats.
• Heat frying oil/fat to just over 350 degrees F.
• If fat is too hot, the biscuits will be soggy in the center.
• Drop biscuit into the hot fat, a few at a time.
• Fry for 1 or 2 minutes till golden on the bottom.
• Flip each biscuit over (if it doesn't flip by itself!) and fry until golden brown.
• Drain on absorbent paper.
• Cut a biscuit open to check for doneness, and adjust frying time if needed.
• Serve warm with lots of apple butter, to be authentic.
• These freeze well - just reheat wrapped in foil in a warm oven.

Steps:

• Measure flour, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir to mix. Pour melted butter and water over flour mixture. Stir with fork to make a ball.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface, and knead gently about 10 times. Pat into a flat circle 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
• Cook in a greased frying pan over medium heat, allowing about 15 minutes for each side. Use two lifters for easy turning. May also be baked on a greased baking sheet at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.