Those benguits are nothing more than fried dough. Then sprinkled with powdered sugar. I have seen this type of stuff before. The Chinese do it, the Panamanians do it, its called OJALDA. And finally, in the INN OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GODS in New Mexico, Ruidoso, they make an APACHE BREAD which is the same stuff, only no powdered sugar. But BENGUITS, OK. I'll take it with that Hickory Cafe Du Monde. Or COFFEE OF THE WORLD. CAFE DEL MUNDO in Spanish. I'll take it in any language, with creme and NO SUGAR.

Panamanian Fried Bread
Ojalda
Contributed by Steve Tanner



Ingredients:

1¾ cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
2 tbs Lard or Shortening
½ - ¾ cups Water as necessary
Oil for deep fat frying



In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven start heating the cooking oil to 375°F.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a bowl. Cut the lard into the flour with a pastry cutter or forks. Slowly add water until a firm adhesive dough is formed. Knead the dough briefly, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Pinch the dough off in golf ball sized pieces and form irregularly shaped patties about

¼" thick between the hands.

Fry the patties in the hot oil about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Serve hot sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or with honey or syrup.