1 c. warm water
2 cakes (or envelopes) yeast
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. scalded milk
1/2 c. potato water (cook a little thinly sliced potato in water until soft/mash with a fork; use the starchy water)
1.5 t. salt
1 egg
1/3 c. plus 2 T. Crisco
1 c. raisins (if making New Year's cookies)
flour
vegetable oil for frying
granulated sugar for rolling when done
In a large mixing bowl, put water, yeast and a sprinkling of sugar to proof.
Melt Crisco in scalded milk and potato water. Add remaining sugar and salt and cool until safe to add to yeast. Beat egg and add. Start adding flour to make a knead-able dough. Add raisins near the end. Knead 5-10 minutes (no recipe notes... I'm guessing). Let rise. Roll to about 1/2" thick, cut in strips about 2" wide, then into triangles and lay out on cookie sheets. Let rise a second time. Heat oil for deep frying. Fry and drain on paper towels. Roll in granulated sugar or glaze if making donuts (I don't have a recipe for glaze).
