makes
20
prep
20 minutes
cook
10 minutes
difficulty
Easy
makes
20
serves
preparation
20
minutes
cooking
10
minutes
difficulty
Easy
level
Ingredients
- 7 g sachet dried yeast
- 55 g (¼ cup) white sugar
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 250 ml (1 cup) evaporated milk
- 600 g (4 cups) plain flour, sifted
- 60 g Copha (vegetable shortening), melted, cooled
- vegetable oil, to deep-fry
- icing sugar, to dust
Proofing time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Instructions
Combine yeast, sugar and 125 ml (½ cup) lukewarm water in the bowl of an electric mixer and stir to dissolve yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes or until mixture bubbles. Add egg, evaporated milk and a pinch of salt, and stir to combine. Stir in half the flour until combined, then stir in the Copha until combined. Gradually stir in the remaining flour until dough is well combined.
Using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, knead for 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, knead by hand on a lightly floured work surface.) Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 2 hours or until dough doubles in size.
Lightly dust 2 trays with flour. Punch down dough, then turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll out into an 8 mm-thick rectangle. Cut dough on the diagonal into 20 x 6 cm x 7 cm diamonds. Place on trays and cover with a tea towel. Set aside for 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
Fill a deep-fryer or large saucepan one-third full with oil and heat over medium heat to 180°C (or until a cube of bread turns golden in 15 seconds). Working in batches, pinch the edges and centre of each diamond, pulling to create air pockets. Gently drop into oil and deep-fry, turning halfway, for 4 minutes or until crisp, golden and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
Dust beignets generously with icing sugar and serve warm.
Photography by John Laurie.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
