based.cooking/content/torta-frita-criolla.md

title	tags	date	author
Torta Frita Criolla (Argentinian frybread)	🇦🇷 Argentinian Fry Bread	2022-06-23	bernardo-slongo

A "merienda" (afternoon meal) that is intertwined with the history of colonization on the River Plate region. Never have it by yourself, instead with friends or family, and a cup/gourd of Mate.

• ⏲️ Prep time: 1h 10min or 2h 10min, (depending on how long you leave it to rest.)
• 🍳Cook time: 10 minutes.
• 🍽️ Servings : 10.

Ingredients

• 1.1 pound (1/2 kilo) of all-purpose flour.
• 4 tablespoons of lard or butter.
• 1/2 cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
• Oil or grease of choice for frying. (Modern Argentines use refined tallow or sunflower seed oil, but for the real gaucho way, unrefined lard or tallow is the right choice)
• Sugar, cinnamon, or herbs and spices of choice (Optional)

Directions

1. Add the flour on a bowl, and the grease in ambient temperature in the middle.
2. Mix flour and grease with your fingertips, while slowly adding the salt water, until you end up with a dough ball.
3. Knead it energically, until the dough forms bubbles on its surface.
4. Let it rest for 1 or 2 hours, and then form little balls, the size you'd do for a chocolate chip cookie, smash them to a disc shape, then poke a small hole in the middle.
5. Fry it on abundant grease until golden brown, remove it with a perforated spoon, then put it on a bowl with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
6. Add garnishes, but it is not essential, due to how rich and filling the dish is.