Chakoy

If the Scots and Brits have Scones, the Navajos have Fry Bread, New Orleans have Beignets...in the Philippines or in Libmanan (Bicol Region), we have CHAKOY!!!

I never had Chakoy until I lived in Libmanan for three years before moving to the States. This doughnut-like deep fried sweetened bread is a favorite afternoon snack we had from our school's canteen. "Aling" (Mrs.) Trining would come to our school and make these sweet treat. We would buy them for one Peso each...hot from the deep fryer, then rolled in sugar...and served in a cutout square brown paper where the grease from the Chakoy soaked through. It was heaven =)

There's actually a memorable story behind this "Chakoy" among my classmates back then. One day, our class adviser (Mr. "Omay" Delfin) wasn't at school...so my classmates and I (as the class Secretary) unanimously voted for a Chakoy Party using our class funds...early that afternoon, we were all excited and placed a big order of Chakoy from Aling Trining, plus soft drinks to fill our heart's desire. Right after our last class, it was party time and it was one of the best class parties we had!!! Simple Pleasures...

Needless to say, we got in trouble the very next day from Sir Omay...imagine, we had a party without his knowledge and at the same time we used our class money to cover the cost of the party! But we were young and all we wanted is to have some fun! At that time, we kept justifying the reason why Sir Omay was so mad at us...the "joke" was because we "FORGOT" to invite him to the party as the reason for his madness...hehehe...it's not the fact we took our class funds to have a silly snack time LOL

Until now, when my classmates and I get in touch...no one has ever forgotten the Chakoy Party we had ;-) Just recently I created a group for my classmates and I to come together online and Chakoy has been the center of our conversations...hahaha!

This is for you my friends...I have come to recreate our favorite snack! It's close enough and as our friend, Jingo says, "Chakoy is a poor man's doughnut!" Watch out Krispy Kreme...CSR BATCH '90 HERE WE COME!!!

This is great served with a big glass of milk or some homemade hot tsokolate from the Philippines =)

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Yeast (dissolved in a 1/4 cup of water)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup shortening
4 cups flour
1 cup milk or water
Vegetable Oil for Frying

Directions:
Mix active yeast in a 1/3 cup of lukewarm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

In a large stand up mixer, add yeast mixture, sugar, eggs, shortening, milk or water and salt. Beat well. Gradually add flour, a cup at a time. Stir until smooth. Turn in into a ball. Let it rise in a warm place for an hour (cooler climates will take longer about 1 1/2 to 2 hours) in a large greased ball. Turn dough in a floured surface or pastry board. Divide it into about 20-24 pieces. Shape into a long twisted rope. Cover and let it rise again for another hour or so.

Heat vegetable oil at 350 degrees F in a deep fryer or sauce pan. Gently slide each dough into hot oil. Turn dough as they rise from the surface. Fry until golden brown for about a minute on each side. Remove from oil and drain. Then, roll it in sugar. Set in a plate or rack to cool.

Now, we're ready to Rock 'N Roll...Don't forget to invite Sir Omay! Hihihihihi!!!

P.S. This yields approximately 24 small Chakoys. You can freeze some of the dough. I only made about 10 and froze the rest for future eats...