Oombar Recipe | Triple Flour Vegan Munchkins
Introduction: Oombar Recipe | Triple Flour Vegan Munchkins
Today's instructable is one of those rare recipes that look really simple but taste super yummy.
Oombar or Umber (spelled oohm-buhr) are a type of fried donut holes a.k.a. munchkins that are traditionally prepared in certain West Indian communities. They're especially popular during pitrupaksha (festival of ancestors) as part of the spirit menu offerings.
These little fried timbits are not only delicious but are free of any refined or white ingredients. We don't use all-purpose flour and instead of white sugar, we use palm sugar or jaggery or any similar natural sweetener. They're ready in minutes because the recipe doesn't need yeast or any sort of raising that's common in dough making.
Also they're not exactly dough "balls" because the shape is slightly flattened on the ends and blown out in the middle (reminds me of tiny dora cakes). Either way, get ready for some sweet-n-salty fried up goodness!
Supplies
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups rice flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon chickpeas /besan flour
- 1 to 1½ cup palm sugar (adjust as per sweetness)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- More water for kneading
- Your favorite frying oil
Other Supplies:
- Frying pan/wok
- mixing bowls
- heavy bottomed pan/wok
- spoons
Step 1: The Mixing Game
Mix together the three flours in a bowl and keep aside.
In a thick bottomed pan, combine jaggery and water. 2
Turn on the heat and wait till the syrup starts boiling.
Once it's boiling, lower the heat and add the flour mixture. Mix continuously till everything comes together and you get the texture as shown in the video.
Step 2: Dough It Up
Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid so the mixture softens even more.
Wait till the mixture cools down a little but is still warm to touch.
Wet your hands in water and start kneading. Keep taking in small amounts of water to make a smooth ball. Don't pour in a lot of water though, the dough should come together easily and we don't need it to be very soft or sticky.
Step 3: Press, Press, Press
Make tiny dough balls.
Grease you palms with oil. Sandwich each ball between both palms of your hands and press till you get the shape as shown above.
Step 4: Crispy It!
Heat up oil in a pan and deep fry the umbers till golden brown & crispy from outside.
Indulge without regrets!
P.S. Let me know if your thoughts in the comments below! 195