Chak chak in the Bashkir style
Description
This delicious dessert is a national pastry of Bashkir cuisine. The ingredients are simple, so it can easily be prepared in any kitchen. The vodka in the dough is not noticeable; here it acts as a leavening agent. Do not add all the flour at once, as the dough may become too dense. You can use any honey, but keep in mind that buckwheat honey may add a slightly bitter note. If for some reason you cannot use honey, replace it with thick sugar syrup. If desired, you can decorate the chak-chak with nuts or sprinkles.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare all the necessary ingredients for making Bashkir-style chak-chak.
- 2
Step 2
In a bowl, break an egg, add sugar, a pinch of salt, and pour in cold vodka.
- 3
Step 3
Mix everything well with a whisk until smooth and until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
- 4
Step 4
Sift the wheat flour into the mixture and knead a soft, non-sticky dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes.
- 5
Step 5
Roll out the dough into a rectangle 2 millimeters thick. Cut it into strips 1-1.5 centimeters wide.
- 6
Step 6
Cut each strip crosswise into strips. To prevent them from sticking together, sprinkle them lightly with flour and mix.
- 7
Step 7
Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat over medium heat. Shake off the flour from the pieces of dough and place them in the hot oil in batches. Fry the chak-chak until golden brown and remove. Place the cooked chak-chak on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- 8
Step 8
Place honey and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and set over low heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- 9
Step 9
Transfer the fried pieces into a bowl and gradually pour the honey syrup in portions, stirring to evenly distribute the honey. Transfer the chak-chak to a serving dish and, with wet hands, shape it into a mound. Let it cool and serve.
- 10
Step 10
Serve at the table.