Peppermint Cream Beignets Food

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Put the milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add the butter, salt, egg and remaining granulated sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour in 1/2-cup increments, mixing on low speed just until the dough becomes sticky and pliable, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put somewhere warm to rise, such as inside an unlit oven, until the dough is roughly doubled in size, about 2 hours. (You can also refrigerate the covered dough overnight.)
• Lightly flour a large work surface. Punch down the dough with your fist to remove air, then place the dough on the work surface. Roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle that is about 1/4 inch thick. Make 6 cuts 2 inches apart along the 12-inch side and 7 cuts 2 inches apart along the 14-inch side using a sharp knife or pizza cutter for a total of forty-two 2-inch squares. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes. (If you refrigerated the dough, let the dough rest at least 1 hour.)
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or electric fryer. Put the confectioners' sugar in a large paper grocery bag or on a large baking sheet. Fry 6 to 8 beignets at a time, flipping them every 30 seconds or so, until both sides are golden brown, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per batch. If using the paper bag, transfer the beignets to the bag and shake to coat well with the sugar. If using a baking sheet, transfer the beignets to the sheet and, using tongs, toss to coat well with the sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve immediately.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a bowl of a Kitchen Aid mixer dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk and next 5 ingredients. Then beat in flour, 1 cup at a time, on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Dough will be sticky. Work 1/4 of the dough at a time. Place on a well-floured board and roll dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut dough into 2-inch squares (irregular shapes are OK). Preheat oil to 370 degrees. Fry squares in oil, just a few at a time. When they rise to the surface, flip and cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar. Serve warm.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Mix together the yeast, flour, sugar and 1 tsp sea salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together the evaporated milk and egg and tip into the bowl with the melted butter and 60ml just-boiled water. Knead on a medium speed for 2 mins in the stand mixer, or for 5 mins on a lightly floured work surface, until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and put in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel and chill for 8-24 hrs.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface into a roughly 20 x 25cm rectangle about 1cm thick. Cut into 20 x 5cm squares.
• Pour the oil into a deep stock pot or saucepan, so it is no deeper than one-third full. Or, use a deep-fat fryer. Heat the oil to 175C. Line a baking tray with kitchen paper. Fry the beignets in batches for 3 mins, turning occasionally with tongs, until puffed up and golden brown. Lift the beignets onto the paper to drain, then move to a wire rack, dust generously with icing sugar and serve warm.

PEPPERMINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add a little of the egg white and a few drops of the peppermint essence and mix really well. You want the mixture to come together as a soft dough, so keep adding a little egg white until this starts to happen (you might not need to use all of it). Taste the mixture and add more peppermint essence if desired.
• Divide the mixture into 20 small balls, then flatten them gently with your fingertips into discs.
• Place baking parchment on a large board or tray and space out the discs. Meanwhile, tip the chocolate into a microwavable bowl and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted, stirring after each blast. Once melted, leave the chocolate to cool for 5-10 mins then carefully dip the peppermint creams in the melted chocolate until they are half coated. Lay them back on the baking parchment to set for 3-4 hours or overnight.