Buñuelos Con Api

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk – warmed to lukewarm (105–110°F)
• 1 cup water – lukewarm
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 large egg – beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp anise seeds – lightly crushed
• 32 ounces vegetable oil – for frying
• 8 cups water – divided (for api)
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 6 whole clove
• 1 medium orange – wide strips of peel only (no pith)
• 1 cup purple corn flour
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar – for api
• powdered sugar – for dusting (for serving, optional)
• chancaca syrup – warmed (for serving, optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk the lukewarm milk, lukewarm water, 3 tbsp sugar, and yeast until dissolved; let stand until foamy, 5–10 minutes.
2. Beat in the eggs. Add the flour, salt, and crushed anise seeds; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth, very sticky dough forms, 2–3 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled and elastic, 60–75 minutes.
3. For the api, combine 6 cups of the 8 cups water with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 10 minutes to infuse.
4. In a bowl, whisk the purple corn flour with the remaining 2 cups cold water until smooth. Remove the spices from the pot (strain if desired), then gradually whisk in the corn mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it returns to a simmer and thickens to a velvety, pourable consistency, 12–18 minutes. Stir in 0.75 cup sugar until dissolved; keep warm over low heat.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, wide pot to 350–360°F (use a thermometer).
6. Lightly oil your hands, pinch off a golf-ball-sized piece of dough, and gently stretch it into a thin disc with a small hole in the center. Fry until puffed and deep golden, 2–3 minutes per side. Repeat without crowding, returning oil to temperature between batches; drain on a rack.
7. Serve the buñuelos hot with mugs of api. Dust fritters with powdered sugar or drizzle with warm chancaca syrup if desired, and enjoy immediately.