Vetkoek with Savory Mince (Namibian Fried Bread Rolls)
In short: Golden deep-fried yeast dough rolls, split and stuffed with curried beef mince. A filling snack that appears at markets, fetes and family tables. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Vetkoek, Afrikaans for fat cake, is a ball of yeast dough fried until golden and puffy. In Namibia it is a popular market and family food, split open and filled with savory mince flavored with curry spice. It is also eaten plain with jam or syrup. The dough is quick and forgiving, and the rolls are best eaten warm, within an hour or two of frying.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the warm water and stir to a soft, sticky dough, then knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and leave it in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and cook the onions for 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, then the beef, and cook for 8 minutes, breaking up lumps, until browned.
- Stir in the curry powder and tomato paste for 1 minute. Add the tomato, carrot, water and salt, and simmer for 12 minutes until thick. The beef should reach 71°C (160°F). Keep warm.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls and let them rest for 15 minutes on a floured surface.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep pot to 170°C (340°F). Fry 3 balls at a time for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deep golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Split each vetkoek open, spoon in the mince and serve warm.
Tips
- Check that the oil is at 170°C (340°F). If it is too hot, the vetkoek brown outside before the dough inside cooks.
- For a sweet version, leave the mince out and serve with jam, golden syrup or honey.
Questions and answers
Can I bake vetkoek instead of frying?
You can bake the dough balls at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes, but you get a bread roll, not a vetkoek. The fried version is the real thing.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Let it rise, shape the balls and refrigerate them on a floured tray overnight. Bring them to room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
Can I freeze the cooked vetkoek?
Yes. Freeze cooled, unfilled rolls for up to 2 months and reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 10 minutes.
How long does it take to make Vetkoek with Savory Mince (Namibian Fried Bread Rolls)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vetkoek with Savory Mince (Namibian Fried Bread Rolls)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 51 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
