Frenchbeignets Recipes

FRENCH BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt.
• Place water and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add all of the flour mixture in the bowl, stirring briskly (it will come together like a ball); remove pan from heat.
• Using a large whisk, blend in eggs one at a time, until mixture is smooth and whites are well incorporated.
• Add the lemon zest and stir to blend.
• Heat enough oil to deep fry to a temp of 375F (at least several inches).
• Drop batter mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls into hot oil and cook 5-7 minutes, frequently turning beignets with chopsticks to cook all sides, and frying until nicely golden.
• Drain beignets on paper towels.
• When cool, dust with powdered sugar (if you dust them while they are too warm, the sugar will melt and get damp).
• Heat jam or jelly until melted using a small saucepan or microwave, stirring occasionally as it melts.
• Serve beignets with melted jam as a dipping sauce.

NEW ORLEANS BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, oil, sugar, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Punch down dough. Turn onto a floured surface; roll into a 16x12-in. rectangle. Cut into 2-in. squares. , In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 1 inch oil to 375°. Fry squares, in batches, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Roll warm beignets in confectioners' sugar.

COSTAS FRENCH MARKET DOUGHNUTS (BEIGNETS)

Steps:

• Pour 1/2 cup room temperature water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand for about 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Combine the shortening, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture and then stir in the evaporated milk. Wait for the mixture to cool down until it is lukewarm. Then, add the yeast and water mixture and beaten eggs.
• Slowly mix in the flour until the dough forms a ball. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Working with a small portion (a little larger than a baseball) at a time, roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut the rolled out dough into strips 2 to 3-inches wide, then cut again in the opposite direction and at an angle, making diamond shapes.
• Heat your oil for frying in a deep and wide, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat to 360 degree F (180 degrees C).
• Slide dough slowly into the oil to avoid splattering and deep fry until they puff up and are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove onto a rack with paper towels underneath and allow to cool until you can handle them. Place in a clean paper bag with confectioners' sugar and shake gently until covered generously or, use a sifter to dust the beignets with powdered sugar.

GRUYERE-AND-PARMESAN BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring 1 cup water and butter just to a boil. Whisk in flour and stir with a spatula to blend completely. Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Add cheeses and mix on high speed until well combined. With mixer on low, add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition; season with salt. Transfer batter to refrigerator and let chill for 30 minutes.
• Drop tablespoon-size balls of batter about 1-inch apart onto 12-by-2-inch pieces of parchment paper; refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days. Beignets may also be frozen for up to 1 month.
• Fill a large heavy-bottomed pot 4 inches high with oil. Heat oil until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches, carefully place entire piece of parchment into hot oil. Using tongs, carefully remove parchment from oil and discard. Fry beignets until golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, stir granulated sugar and yeast in warm water until dissolved. In large bowl, beat eggs, milk and melted butter. Add yeast mixture; mix well. Add flour and salt; mix well. (Dough will be very sticky.) Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Divide chilled dough into fourths; keep refrigerated until ready to roll. Place 1 portion of dough on lightly floured work surface; sprinkle with additional flour. With floured rolling pin, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into 3-inch squares.
• In deep fryer or 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat 2 to 3 inches oil to 375°F. Fry dough squares, 3 or 4 at a time (do not overcrowd), in hot oil 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until puffed and golden brown. Drain on paper towels or cooling rack placed over cookie sheet.
• Repeat rolling, cutting and frying remaining 3 portions of dough. Sprinkle beignets with powdered sugar before serving. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine yeast, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and warm water; use a fork to mix well. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add milk, egg, butter, salt and remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and beat with fork to blend. With machine on low speed, gradually add flour. Increase speed to medium and beat just until a smooth dough forms, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil. Transfer dough to the prepared bowl and turn to coat dough in oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size and very puffy, about 3 hours.
• In a Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet, heat 2 inches of oil over medium to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, turn out dough and cut in half. Working with one piece at a time and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 10-by-8-inch rectangle (about 1/4-inch thick). Cut into 2-inch squares and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, transferring to a second parchment-lined sheet.
• In batches, fry dough until puffed and golden underneath, about 2 minutes. Flip the beignets and fry until golden on second side, 1 minute more. Transfer beignets to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and let stand for 1 minute. Generously dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
• Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
• Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS (FROM PAULA DEEN)

Steps:

• Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together.
• Mix egg mixture to the yeast mixture.
• In a separate bowl, measure out the bread flour.
• Add 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
• Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour.
• Remove dough from the bowl, place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
• Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Put dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel.
• Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Add the confectioners' sugar to a paper or plastic bag and set aside.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares.
• Deep-fry, flipping constantly, until they become a golden color.
• After beignets are fried, drain them for a few seconds on paper towels, and then toss them into the bag of confectioners' sugar.
• Hold bag closed and shake to coat evenly.
• Serve warm with syrup, if desired.