C H I N C H I N

All throughout my exam season I needed something to snack on. Something that didn't make me feel too guilty, like crisps and a chuck load of sweets and something that wasn't overly appetising that it completely distracted me away from all my technical drawings.

 So during the easter holidays my aunty and I decided to make a Nigerian snack, Chin chin. One of my all time favourite finger foods that I don't have too much of, but is always just right.

Then I started to think *inserts cartoon air bubbles*, many of my close friends are graduating this year whilst I have one more year left of my undergraduate course... so what would be a great inexpensive gift to give? mhmmm... something that I know they'll love and won't leave me with massive holes in my pocket.. Mhmm.



Bingo, Yes! you got the answer too (well if you were unlucky and you didn't, the chin chin is not impressed).

Chin Chin in old wine bottles wrapped with a ribbon and a little note. How cute?!

When it comes to gifts I love giving and creating them. FYI friends appreciate gifts that you make or thought about more than they like gifts that you just spray wads of cash on, so this is perfect. And it's great for the tummies too!


 Normally, chin chin is served at celebratory functions and we Nigerians are very much known for our party party lifestyle, which means it's always around. Some people love it and some people hate it, kinda like marmite in that sense but definitely not in taste. It's not too sweet but it's a great dry snack that is great for nibbles!

Nom nom nom... *nibbles away*

Ingredients

+ 5 cups of plain flour

+ egg

+  1 tbsp thyme/mixed herbs

+ pinch of baking powder

+ 1/2 tbsp of thyme

+ 6 tbsp of sugar  (you can reduce if you wish, but it is a sweet snack)

+1/4 cup of milk

+1/3 cup of water

+ Sunflower oil to fry

+ 1/2 stick of butter

Extras

+ wine bottles
+ ribbon/ string
+ card
+ pen


+ First thing first, You want combine all the dry ingredients and mix together. So start with the flour and keep adding until you're left with the eggs, water, butter and milk.



+ Next, you want to pour the water and milk into one little pot and heat till the butter has turned to liquid form



+ After this,  pour the liquid into the dry mixture and stirring it. After everything is mixed, the fun part starts and you get to knead the dough.

+ Next, you must cover the surface with flour and get a rolling pin and roll out your dough.



+ After rolling it out to you want to slice  the dough into long thing strips like above. Straight after dice them into mini cute squares.

+ You're almost done! Heat your cooker and place oil into your pan so that it can deep fry. You don't need too much oil, so it's best to start by pouring until it reaches 1/3 of your pot.



+ Taadaa!!! These cuties will have you munching, crunching and lunching (naa, that really didn't work) all over the place.

One tip, if it's not crunchy enough, leave it by the window sill or in a well ventilated area for a couple hours. It taste better the next day especially if it's very brown in colour.



Now all you have left are your wine bottles, ribbons and card.

+ Soak the wine bottles in hot water for 20 minutes and use a cleaning brush to take off all the branding labels stuck on the bottles. Brush it squeaky clean (took me a while).

+ Get a towel and just wipe it dry

+ Get the string/ ribbon and wrap it round the bottle top. Don't complete it.

+ Cut the card to whatever size and pierce a hole through it with a hole puncher.

+Write your little message, tie to the ribbon and complete the bow.

You don't have to just do it with Chin Chin, you can add/ make mini sweets, chocolates or even popcorn.