Fennel seed drop-biscuits

Preparation time

less than 30 mins

Cooking time

less than 10 mins

Serves

Makes 20

Dietary

Vegetarian

These simple biscuits are normally deep-fried, soaked in sugar syrup and served with thick, sweet milky desserts.

By Anjum Anand

From Indian Food Made Easy

Ingredients

80g/2¾oz plain flour, sifted
70g/2½oz caster sugar
2 tbsp skimmed milkpowder
140ml/5fl oz milk
1 brown cardamompod, seeds removed and ground to a powder in a pestle and mortar
1½ tsp fennel seeds, ground to a powder in a pestle and mortar
pinch of salt
1 tbsp ground almonds
2 tbsp butter, melted
4 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil, for frying

Mix together the flour, sugar, powdered and whole milk, spices, salt, almonds and melted butter in a bowl. Leave to rest for ten minutes.
Heat the oil or ghee in a non-stick frying pan and drop small tablespoons of the batter into the pan. Fry over a moderate heat for about 1-2 minutes, turning once, until golden on both sides.
Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper. Serve while still slightly warm.