Giadas Zeppole Recipes

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla. Mix gently over low heat until combined. Batter will be sticky.
• Drop by tablespoons into the hot oil a few at a time. Zeppole will turn over by themselves. Fry until golden brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain in a paper sack and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

GIADA'S ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Cut open vanilla bean lengthwise.
• Using back back of a knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds.
• Add seeds to 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon, stirring to combine; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine butter, salt, 3 tbsp sugar and water over medium heat.
• Bring to a boil.
• Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour.
• Return pan to heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3-5 minutes.
• Transfer flour mixture to a medium bowl.
• Using an electric hand mixer on low, add eggs, 1 at a time, blending each well.
• Beat until smooth.
• If not using dough immediately, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Meanwhile pour enough oil into a large fry pan to reach a depth of 2 inches.
• Heat oil over medium heat until temp reaches 375°F.
• Using a small ice cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot oil, frying in batches.
• Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Toss with cinnamon sugar.
• Serve immediately.

MASHED POTATO ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Puree the cranberry sauce with the nutmeg and lemon zest in a food processor. Reserve.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed potatoes, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon and eggs until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches 350 degrees F. Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a shallow bowl.
• With a 1-tablespoon scoop, carefully drop the batter into the hot oil; work in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Fry until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side, turning with a slotted spoon. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain for a few seconds, then roll in the sugar.
• Serve with the cranberry dipping sauce.

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• For the doughnuts: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour. Using a wooded spoon, quickly stir the mixture until all the flour is fully incorporated and forms a thick dough.
• Return the pan to the heat and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a stand mixture fitted with a paddle attachment. With the machine running on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time until fully incorporated. Beat the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until thick and glossy. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in a couple of minutes.).
• Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 small spoons, carefully drop scoops (about 1 tablespoon) of the dough into the oil. (Do not crowd the pan,) Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning occasionally, until the zeppole are golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all of the dough has been used.