Yeasted fried doughnuts
Description
Prizhentsy – dough-based pastries fried in fat. They were traditionally prepared mainly during Maslenitsa (Pancake Week). About one-third of the flour is mixed with eggs beaten together with sugar, add yeast, and let it sit for two to three hours. Preparation: Beat eggs with sugar, mix with flour (approximately thirty percent of the total amount), then add the remaining flour and knead the dough. Roll the dough out thinly, as for noodles. Shape prizhentsy into various forms: 1) Cut a strip from the dough (approximately 5x10 centimeters). Make cuts along one side of the strip (like a comb). Roll it into a flat ring with the uncut side facing inward; the cut strips will form flower petals. 2) Cut a long strip (four centimeters wide), make diagonal crosswise cuts to form diamonds, make a slit in the center, and thread both ends of the strip through the slit in opposite directions. Fry the prepared prizhentsy in hot vegetable oil, turning them over. Once golden brown, remove from the oil and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm or cooled. Perfect with tea.