Monday, February 20, 2012

Fall In Love With ... Beignets


When my girls were little and one was in half-day preschool and the other was in diapers and their dad was out-of-town all week,  I had a LOT of time to fill everyday.  We did lots of crafts and went to lots of classes but we also celebrated EVERY holiday that existed.  It was a great reason for me to change things up, for them and me ... a reason to go to the library to find a new book, a reason to find some new crafts, a reason to try some new recipes together.

Some of the holidays got celebrated just once and some stuck.  Mardi Gras is one of the ones that stuck a little.  We have stopped making feathery masks and covering ourselves in beads but we still make beignets together every Fat Tuesday.

Here is the recipe we use every year.  Very easy and very delicious. Enjoy!

Beignets
1 envelope yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups flour
1/4 cup shortening
oil for frying
confectioners sugar

In the bowl of a mixer, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Add the sugar, salt, eggs and milk and blend.  Mix in 4 cups of the flour.  Mix in the shortening.  Mix in the remaining flour.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.   Roll out 1/8 inch thick on a floured board.  Cut into 3 inch squares.  Heat about 1 inch of oil in a pan and fry beignets for 2 to 3 minutes per side then drain on paper towels.  Sprinkle with sugar and serve hot.

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