Panamanian Hojaldras Recipes

HOJALDRES

Steps:

• Mix all the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Make a well in the center and break the egg in the center of this well. Add the oil.
• Using the dough hook, mix the ingredients at low speed, gradually incorporating the water until obtaining a smooth and homogeneous dough. The given amount of water is approximate and depends on the quality of the flour that is used.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface, cover it and let it rest for 2 hours, away from drafts.
• Divide the dough into 12 to 15 pieces and form balls the size of a golf ball.
• Pour a large amount of oil into a skillet and heat.
• On a lightly oiled work surface, flatten each ball and, using both hands, stretch it until it is round, thin and flat (about ¼ inch / 5 mm thick).
• You can also use a rolling pin to flatten them.
• Fry each bread a few minutes on each side until golden brown.

HOJALDRE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.
• Make a well in the middle and add the oil and a little water.
• Knead, adding the rest of the water little by little.
• Let the dough sit overnight in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to make the hojaldres, heat a pan with the oil for frying over medium-high heat.
• To form the hojaldres, take a golf ball size of dough and stretch it by hand until it is roughly 6 inches in diameter. Drop the stretched dough into the hot oil and fry until it is golden brown, turning once. The dough will puff up and parts of the hojaldre will be crispy and parts will be bready.
• ENJOY!

PANAMANIAN FRY BREAD (HOJALDRAS)

Steps:

• 1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well about the size of your fist in the flour mixture.
• 2. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the milk, 3 Tbsp oil, and egg. With a wooden spoon, stir the milky mixture into the flour well, stirring until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
• 3. Knead the dough in the bowl for about a minute or until it turns into a ball that doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl. If it's too sticky, add more flour; if it's too crumbly, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it forms into a ball. Transfer to floured surface and knead until the dough is soft and elastic. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (To save time, you can can prepare the dough up to this step, and all that's left in the morning is frying the dough.)
• 4. Remove dough from refrigerator and pinch off pieces of dough about the size of a gold ball. Pinch and stretch the dough into 5-inch ovals. They should be roughly shaped and not necessarily even ovals all around.
• 5. Heat the 2 cups oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Drop the flattened dough pieces into the hot oil and wait for them to rise to the surface, about 2 minutes. Turn them over to allow the other side to brown for about 30 seconds.
• 6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to triple-layered paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let cool, then lightly dust with powdered sugar (or a cinnamon/sugar mix). Serve immediately.