In The Kitchen With Kanta : Vitumbuwa with a Caramel Amarula sauce

Vitumbuwa, also known as Fritters, are one of the 7 wonders of world…okay not really, but they really are one of the best sweet treats ever known to man.  I for one have been eating them since I was a baby, and barely able to walk. They come in all shapes and sizes, and I’m sure every household has a slightly different way of making them.  I have quite a sweet tooth and I love mine extra sweet.  They are the perfect no fuss food, the perfect “pick me up” if you are down, or “keep me up” if you are happy.   They aren’t the healthiest snack in the world; but I don’t think they are meant to be. Small little balls of sugary, doughy goodness, so good in fact that there was even a song written about them; need I say more…?

Preparation and Cooking time: 30 minutes

Makes 6-8 fritters

Ingredients

For the fritters

• 30g caster sugar, for dusting
• 1 egg
• 180g plain flour
• 100ml whole milk
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Sunflower/ vegetable oil, for frying

For the Caramel Amarula sauce

• ¹?₄ cup (59ml) water
• 1 cup (227g) granulated sugar
• ¹?₃ cup(118ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¹?₄ cup (59ml) Amarula or any other liqueur like Baileys or Irish cream
• 2 tbsp butter

Method

For the fritters; whisk together the egg, flour, milk, 50g of caster sugar and baking powder in a bowl, and set aside.

Fill a deep wok or a frying pan with the oil and place over a medium – high heat.  The oil is hot enough when a little of the mixture sizzles and turns golden brown immediately. (If it is too hot, the fritters will be too crunchy)

Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the oil – they will rise and sizzle, making puffy, odd-shaped/ roundish fritters. Cook 2 or 3 at a time.  Don’t crowd the pan or the fritters will become soggy. Using a clean spoon, constantly turn the fritters, for about 5 minutes, over in the hot oil until they are fully brown and cooked through. Remove and drain them on kitchen paper (paper towel).

Whilst still hot, you can dust caster sugar over the fritters and serve piping hot, or you can prepare your caramel Amarula sauce as follows;

Pour sugar and water in a saucepan, making sure the sugar is completely wet. Add the butter and cook on medium – high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns yellowy/brown colour. Now remove from heat immediately and carefully.  Pour your double cream into the saucepan – return the mixture to the heat and cook, stirring constantly. Add more cream if the caramel is too dark. Remove the sauce from the heat to cool down.  Add your lemon juice and Amarula or other liqueur just before serving, and mix well.

Serving

You have a few options of how to serve this delectable treat; you can eat them on their own without any condiments.  But that’s boring; why not roll your Vitumbuwa in caster sugar, dusting off any excess sugar, this will add extra crunch and sweetness.  Or you can eat them with Icecream, fruits and a drizzle of syrup or honey; and of course as this recipe indicates you can enjoy them with a sweet and slightly alcoholic- Caramel Amarula sauce (For adults only).

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.