Easy to make Lemongrass flavoured Uganda Bagiya

~ Sophie
Lemongrass Maize Bagiya-2

PS: For the most current bagiya  recipe and video, check this post out

I have, for the longest time, wondered whether dessert or anything baked/fried can be made from maize flour alone with out adding any other flour like wheat. And my recipes with maize flour on its own have failed because maize flour does not have gluten to bind it when water is added. This little triumphant experiment started out as me wanting to make churros because they seem extremely easy to make and ended up into these sweet bagiya because I have no other name for them really. Also because the sweet aroma of lemon grass is irresistible. I borrowed the churro making method but instead used plain maize flour.  These sweet bagiyas are a fun and useful way to utilize your maize flour and they make a great easy to make snack. I could not stop munching away at these.

What you will need:

1 C. Maize flour

1 C. Water

1 Tbsp. Butter/margarine

1 egg

3 Tbsp. Sugar

A handful of lemon grass leaves

½ Tsp. Vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

Oil for frying

Observation:

  1. If you are using a plastic, like I did, cut a small hole at the corner of the plastic and pipe your batter into the hot oil.
  2. If you are using a piping gun, select a nozzle with the tiniest hole and attach it to the gun.
  3. Wait for the mixture to cool down before adding the egg so that the egg does not cook.
  4. Make sure the heat is medium because maize flour burns easily.
  5. Do not over crowd the pan.
Lemongrass Maize Bagiya-5

Method:

  1. Add water to a saucepan and add the lemon grass.
  2. On high heat, bring the water to a boil.
  3. In a bowl, add maize flour, sugar and salt and mix.
  4. Once the water has boiled and has released a sweet fragrant aroma, remove from fire and sieve the lemongrass leaves.
  5. Pour the hot water immediately into the flour mixture and mix until there is no flour visible.
  6. Add the vanilla and butter and mix well.
  7. Set the mixture aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
  8. After the ‘posho’ has cooled down, add the egg and mix till a clear batter is achieved.
  9. Place your batter in a plastic/Piping gun and pipe into hot oil.
  10. Fry the bagiya till golden brown.
  11. Remove the bagiya from the oil and drain.
Lemongrass Maize Bagiya-4

Let them cool then snack away!

Published by Sophie

A food enthusiast and home cook celebrating the fusion of Ugandan food. Cooking and writing about it at akitcheninuganda.com

24 thoughts on “Easy to make Lemongrass flavoured Uganda Bagiya”

    1. I agree with you. But they can be substituted for each other since they are all from the maize family. It also depends on how fine you want your flour ground.

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    1. Hello Ruth. The measurements are indicated alongside the ingredients. But in case you cannot find them I am sharing them here, Do let me know how it goes:

      1 C. Maize flour

      1 C. Water

      1 Tbsp. Butter/margarine

      1 egg

      3 Tbsp. Sugar

      A handful of lemon grass leaves

      ½ Tsp. Vanilla extract

      A pinch of salt

      Oil for frying

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      Reply

    1. I don’t use baking powder in daddies because it makes them puff up wich is not how i wanted the daddies to be. They are supposed to be dense but crunchy as well. Share your creations with me using #AkitchenInUg

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  10. Wow its lovely info ryt here.. Thanks for the update.. I think I need to try ur methods for home consumption one day.

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