Our passion with fried foods... and a Beignet recipe sure to create quite a few smiles

October 27, 12:42 PMTampa Inspirational Cook ExaminerJoseph Granato

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Where's the coffee!
sciencecompanion.com

It is an International kind of thing, but it is a fact... the number one food or style of food, is "fried anything".  You name it and somebody has probably fried or tried to fry it.  Yes, folks from your  fried chicken to fried candy bars to "chicken fried bacon" to that "greasy burger" and fries... if you got some oil and a pot to put it in, well... we're in business!

O.K. a fryer actually works best and if you can get one with temperature control, do so.  If you work in a food service establishment and you have a professional fryer, than you are in show biz already!

There are several rules when frying.  You say "rules" with greasy food?!?  That's right, there is a trick to good fried food vs really bad greasy food.  Rule number one... always use clean oil and as fresh as possible.  Once you fry seafood in your oi, unless it is only for frying seafood, than change your oil for sure.  A vegetable oil or blend with Canola oil is most common ad most economical.  In many Southern style restaurants they use peanut oil.  Peanut oil is more costly but it produces a more intense flavor to the foods that are being fried.  Rule number two... don't get the oil too hot.  Average temperature is three hundred and fifty degrees.  Rule number three is to not mix foods types if possible... especially if it is seafood vs things like funnel cakes or Beignets.  In general there is a process to frying something and it all starts, once you select what you are going to fry, with the coating.

There are two basic types of coatings... a dry coating vs a wet coating .  You will learn all you want from the many links found at the link prior to this.  A couple of major points... when sauteing, dry coating definitely works best.  Follow these steps for a proper flour station... Flour, egg wash, final coating.  The first station, flour, acts like a base for your coating and the first part of the magnet.  The next station, the egg wash, acts as the final part of the magnet, which is attracting the last part or the third station... the final coating.  This could be as simple as the flour again, or any variety of bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, coconut... be creative and experiment.  If deep frying, if you use a dry coating, let it set for 10 to 20 minutes before frying. 

Today, here is a classic beignet recipe, which is a French doughnut, made with a yeast dough, that is deep fried and dusted heavily with powdered sugar.  They are served immediately or they are just not as good...

A beignet recipe, similar to those you might find in the French Market of New Orleans, Louisiana.           By Diana Rattray, About.com
Ingredients:

* 1 envelope active dry yeast
* 1 1/2 cups warm water (approx. 105°)
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1 cup evaporated milk
* 7 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup shortening, softened
* oil for deep frying
* powdered sugar

Preparation:
In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over the warm water; stir to dissolve and let stand for 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and evaporated milk. Whisk or use electric mixer to blend thoroughly. Add 4 cups of the flour; beat until smooth. Add shortening; gradually blend in remaining flour. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Roll out on floured board to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2 to 3-inch squares. Deep fry at 360° for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Serve hot with coffee.
Dough can cut and frozen, separated in container with waxed paper.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen.

You know that this is a good theme for a party!  Yes, it is time to celebrate "life"!  Why not, it is Tuesday... tomorrow is Wednesday.  The time is NOW!  Why not... so gather up some of your friends and brew up some nice New Orleans style chicory coffee, go out and buy a "fry daddy" or some type of home deep fryer and get ready to create some "MJM Mouthgasms" with some of these tasty beignets.

Lately, life has been very challenging to many people.  Don't give up, my friends.  No matter how dark the path may seem at times, just remember that there is a light at the end of the trail and it is a bright light.  It is your light shining though.  You will receive your harvest and it will be plentiful.  So keep on "pressing on" and you too will reach your "pot of gold"!  In closing today, let's close with a prayer for all those who are suffering in any ways at all.  Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you.  May peace envelop you and surround you in comfort and may "joy" fill your hearts once again.  Be HAPPY... it is the beginning to change!

Don' dwell on the past or worry about tomorrow, for it will be here soon enough.  Enjoy the moment... it is probably a lot better than you realize!