Maida Chegodilu

For the 2nd day of BM#21, here is a savory snack from Andhra. This recipe uses only maida unlike the general chegodi version. I came across this in a Telugu cookbook many years ago and had tried once earlier. I had then shaped them into tiny rings like the bakery ones and it had become a tedious job. This time I remembered to prepare bigger chegodis. Making rings may be a little bit trickier for novices. They tend to open up during frying and become "C"s instead of "O"s, if chegodis are smaller. Or shape them into small logs for a more easy version. They taste almost like the bakery version, non spicy little kodbale rings.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour / maida
3 - 4 Tbsp butter
1 tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
Chili powder to taste (optional)
Oil to deep fry

Method:
1. Mix everything except the oil. Add water gradually and make a firm dough. Allow to rest it for about an hour.
2. After the resting period, knead the dough once and divide it into tiny balls.
3. Take a dough ball, roll it using fingers to a thin log and join the ends to form a ring. When enough are made, heat the oil in kadai or pan.
4. When oil is ready for deep frying, drop as many rings as the kadai can fit. Fry on low flame turning them in between, until golden brown. Repeat the steps with the remaining dough. Don't be tempted to increase the flame and get it done quickly. They don't come crunchy if done that way. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. 

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