In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water and set aside to proof for 10 or 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt and the remaining 1 cup warm water. Add the yeast mixture and stir vigorously with your hand or a heavy wooden spoon until smooth. The dough should be too sticky to knead or shape, almost like a thick batter.

Cover the bowl with a towel and leave the dough to rise for 3 to 4 hours, until double or triple in bulk.

In a wide, deep pot, heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat until hot.

Set out a bowl of water. Dip your hands in the water, then pull off a piece of dough about the size of a small plum. Use your fingers to make a hole in the ball of dough, stretch the hole wide to make a ring, and place the dough in the hot oil.

Repeat with additional portions of dough until you've added as many sfenj as will fit comfortably in your pot; do not overcrowd. Wet your hands as necessary to keep the dough from sticking as you work with it.

Fry the sfenj until golden brown, turning once or twice. Remove the cooked sfenj to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Repeat shaping and frying until you've used up all the dough.

If desired, finish the hot sfenj by dipping in granulated sugar or by dusting with powdered sugar.

Serve the sfenj hot or warm; they lose their texture and appeal when cold.

Enjoy.