All Things South African

Amagwinya or vetkoek is South Africa’s most treasured foods. Essentially a kind of doughnut, amagwinya is traditionally made with a ye**ty bread dough that is shaped into balls (sometimes flattened slightly) before being fried in plenty of hot oil until golden brown and slightly swollen, with a soft, bread-like centre – heaven!

The traditional recipe using yeast gives you a light, airy vetkoek similar to a doughnut, but in a pinch, baking powder can be used. The dough can also be wrapped around a filling before you fry it.

The fillings can either be sweet or savoury, depending on what you feel like. Sweet fillings can include apricot jam, spiced chocolate ganache or even a butter sweetened and mixed with berries. Savoury options include aromatic mince, cheese and vegetables. Vetkoek can also be used to accompany soup. Video supplied