Mekitsa

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying and oiling hands
• Powdered sugar or sirene cheese, for serving

Before you cook

• Stir the yeast and sugar into the warm water and let it stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk the yogurt and egg together in a large bowl.
• Stir the foamy yeast mixture into the yogurt and egg.
• Add the flour and salt, and mix into a soft, sticky dough.
• Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Steps

1. Pour oil into a deep pan to a depth of about 2 inches and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
2. Oil your hands well, since the dough is too sticky to shape dry.
3. Pull off a piece of dough about the size of an egg.
4. Flatten and stretch the piece into a rough oval with a thin center and a thicker rim, poking a hole or two in the middle with your fingers.
5. Lower the shaped dough into the hot oil.
6. Fry for about 2 minutes, until the underside is deep golden.
7. Flip the mekitsa and fry the second side for another 2 minutes.
8. Lift the mekitsa out and drain it on paper towels.
9. Shape and fry the remaining dough the same way.
10. Dust the warm mekitsa with powdered sugar or serve alongside soft sirene cheese and jam.