Beignet: (ben-yey) Fr. a fritter or doughnut
Obviously whoever wrote THIS definition for the dictionary, has either never sampled this delight, or is the master of understatement. A Krispy Kreme is a doughnut. A cruller is a doughnut. Even a Bavarian Cream is a doughnut albeit a very superior doughnut, I'll give you that. But a beignet....a beignet is an EXPERIENCE! It is a light, melt in your mouth, yeasty, tender, powdered sugar confection so incredibly delicious, is brings a tear to your eye. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it!!!!
Well, last week two of my grandchildren and I made beignets. It is quite a process. It took approximately twice as long as it would have taken if I had done it myself!!! BUT, would not have been as much fun. I made the dough after church in the morning and set it to rising. It SMELLED like heaven, if you like that yeasty smell. I could dab some behind each ear and on my wrists! Then after dinner, and the dishes were done, we began actually frying them. At this point, the procedure is very simple. Roll out the dough, cut into squares, fry in oil, cover in powdered sugar, eat. Simple unless you are using child labor. All of a sudden, two children turns into a herd. Both want to roll, and Sophie knows where I keep the extra rolling pin, so all of a sudden I have one rolling with supervision, and one going rogue. Then there is the pizza cutter which must be shared. A squabble ensues and I am praying no little fingers end up being "shortened". Once they were cut and arranged on a cookie sheet, Gramma set to frying. They don't take long in the oil, and they puff up so beautifully. Out of the oil, I drained them on another cookie sheet covered in paper towels and set them to cooling. Now, my little helpers took the main stage. They were in charge of putting the beignets into a bag with powdered sugar and shaking. And they did. With gusto. With waaaay too much gusto! We had powdered sugar everywhere! My kitchen was so sticky, when I walked across the floor I was afraid my socks would come off!
As the beignets were piling up (the recipe makes a LOT, but you need a LOT as they are just sooooo delicious) my little Sharon kept asking for more. She claimed she only had two, but she had sugar from nose to chin each time we looked at her, even after I kept wiping her up. So after everyone had their fill (diet???? what diet???) we made some deliveries and took some to my mother-in-law and a few others.
We have plans to make them again, BUT, not until summer when we can do it outside, and when I have all the grandchildren here......and their mothers! There is something about cooking with kids, my grown up kids included (thanks Cari for the help!) that grows a woman's heart. The bonding, the laughter, the "sweetness" of enjoying the moment. More than satisfying. More than pleasurable. Whats the word I'm looking for? Ah yes, gratitude for the blessing of little fingers.
FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups flour
1/4 cup shortening
Oil for frying
confectioners sugar
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 the egg mixture into the yeast mixture. Add 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour. Remove dough from bowl, place on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Spray a lg bowl with nonstick spray, put the dough in and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours. (Mine was longer and they were sooo light)
Preheat oil in deep fryer to 350 degree
Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut into squares. Deep fry a few at a time, turning, until they are a nice golden color. Drain for a few seconds then toss them into a bag with confectioners sugar to coat. Hold the bag CLOSED (I know you know this, but make sure the kids know it too!!!!) Shake. If you have leftover (hard to believe!!) just pop into the microwave for 10 seconds.....just like fresh. Enjoy!!!!
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