Floating Bread (Fried Maori Bread)

This recipe is my paternal Nan's.  It instantly transports me back to my childhood in her kitchen during holidays with loads of other cousins about.  With many mouths to feed this was a cheap treat for us all.  Be careful making this with children about, keep them out of the kitchen if you can as it involves a pot of hot oil.

5 cups plain white flour

5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp salt

1½ cups (375ml) lukewarm water

Cooking Oil

An electric frying pan or a deep saucepan

Put all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together. Make a well in the centre and gradually add the water. Stir together with a knife. When the mixture starts looking like dough tip it onto a floured bench.

Knead the dough just a little until it develops a smooth texture. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 6cm. Cut into 2 cm thick squares, pricking each one with a fork.

Heat a pot of oil till very hot and add the dough pieces, turning as they brown. Remove from the oil and drain on kitchen roll. 

Eat with lots of jam and/or Golden Syrup.  Fried bread can be made in bulk, cooled and stored in an airtight container and is perfect for parties and picnics.