A delicacy from the time of the total Soviet shortage, which is still popular today. Khvorost (crunches) is one of the varieties of cookies, often sweet with tea or coffee, but salty crisps can also be made, for example, as a natural snack for beer. Thanks to a specially selected dough recipe, the cooking technology does not change – the difference between the dessert and salty options is only in sprinkling with salt or powdered sugar.
Vodka is added to get the classic crisp brushwood – ethyl alcohol makes the dough more brittle. During the roasting process, the alcohol evaporates, so the finished dish can be given even to children.
Ingredients:
- wheat flour – 1 cup + a third of a cup for kneading the dough;
- chicken eggs – 2 pieces;
- vodka – 1 tablespoon;
- salt – a quarter of a teaspoon (in the dough);
- refined sunflower oil – 400 ml;
- powdered sugar – 3 tablespoons (for dessert option).
Recipe for brushwood with vodka
1. Beat the eggs into a deep bowl, mix with a fork or beat with a whisk. Add salt and vodka, mix again (beat) until smooth.
2. Pour half a glass of flour, mix, then gradually add the remaining flour to make an elastic dough.
3. Divide the dough for brushwood into 4 even parts, roll each of which into a layer 1-1,5 mm thick.
In the process of working, it is very important to add flour in time so that the dough does not stick to the work surface.
4. Cut the layers of dough into rectangles 3 by 5 cm in size. Make an oblique cut 1,5-2 cm in the center of each piece, then scroll one half of the rectangle through the cut in the middle as in the photo. Get a typical brushwood shape.
5. Pour vegetable oil into a saucepan, stewpan or deep frying pan, heat over medium heat until a slight haze appears.
6. Fry 3-5 pieces at the same time until golden brown on each side (usually 20-30 seconds).
The cookies should float freely in the oil without touching the bottom.
7. Put the finished brushwood on vodka on paper towels to remove any remaining fat.
8. After cooling to room temperature, transfer the crisps to a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or salt.
