Marthas Beignets Recipes

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.

BLUEBERRY BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the blueberries and granulated sugar and lightly mash together with a fork. Stir in the eggs and half-and-half.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the blueberry mixture, and whisk until combined. Allow the mixture to rest 10 minutes before frying.
• Pour enough oil to come to the maximum line in an electric fryer or halfway up the side of a deep, large, heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 360 degrees F.
• Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, carefully drop the batter into the hot oil, cooking 4 to 6 beignets at a time; don't crowd them. If using a deep fryer, shake the basket to loosen the beignets from the bottom if they're sticking. Cook the beignets until golden, about 6 minutes. If you're frying them in a pot, the beignets will sink to the bottom, then float up to the top, where you can turn them for even coloring.
• Using a slotted spoon, tongs, or a spider, transfer the fried beignets to paper towels to drain briefly, then add to a large bowl along with the confectioners' sugar, and toss to coat. Set the beignets on a serving platter. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
• To serve, dust the beignets a final time with confectioners' sugar, and serve hot.

MARTHA'S BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Using a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together yeast, warm water, and granulated sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and nutmeg. While mixing yeast mixture on medium speed, add butter. In a smaller bowl, lightly whisk together milk and egg using a fork before adding to the yeast-butter mixture. Mix in 1 1/2 cups flour mixture to combine, then add 1 3/4 cups more flour mixture and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining 1/4 cup flour mixture by hand until dough is smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and punch down. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out dough to a 12-inch square. Using a pizza wheel or sharp knife, cut dough into 3-inch squares. Transfer squares to a floured baking sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium pot or deep-fryer until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches, add a few squares to the oil and fry, rolling them around constantly with a slotted spoon or spider, until golden brown all over, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer beignets to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Coat with confectioners' sugar, and repeat process with remaining dough and more confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

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.

BEIGNETS WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• For the beignets: Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl until completely combined.
• Whisk together the milk, water and egg in the bowl of a stand mixer until well combined. Add the dry ingredients. Fit the mixer with a dough hook and mix on low speed until a soft and sticky dough has formed, about 2 minutes. Add the shortening and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and starts to climb up the hook, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, gently shape into a ball and place seam-side down in the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours, depending on the temperature of the room.
• For the raspberry syrup: Meanwhile, combine the raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer, pressing down on the berries with a rubber spatula to extract all the juice. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before using.
• When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured work surface. Flour your hands and gently press the dough into a rectangle. Lightly flour the surface of the dough and a rolling pin, then roll the dough into an 8-by-10-inch rectangle. Using a floured bench scraper or chef's knife, cut the dough into twenty 2-inch squares. Let the squares rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven to come 2 inches up the sides. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the pot and heat over medium-high heat until the thermometer reaches 360 degrees F.
• Working in batches, fry the dough squares, turning once and adjusting the heat to maintain temperature, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to drain.
• Pile the beignets on a serving platter, dust with the confectioners' sugar, and drizzle with some raspberry syrup. Serve warm with the extra syrup on the side.

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.