St Josephs Day Cream Puffs Sfingi Di San Giuseppe Food

SFINGI DI SAN GIUSEPPE

Steps:

• Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• In a large bowl or cup with a pouring lip, add yeast and ¼ cup sugar to warm water and stir to dissolve. Add the vanilla and stir to combine. Let the yeast bloom for 5 minutes.
• In a stand mixer, pour the yeast mixture into the mixer bowl. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the flour mixture until a shaggy dough is formed. Switch to the dough hook and knead for 5 - 7 minutes until a smooth ball is formed. Dough should be slightly sticky and elastic. Put the dough into a oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until double in size; about 1 ½ hours. Punch down, cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a floured board. Divide into 4 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, pinch or cut small pieces about the size of a lime. With floured hands, roll into balls. Place on parchment paper dusted with flour. Repeat with the rest of the dough. You should get about 24 balls.
• Combine the 1 cup sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
• To fy, heat oil to 350 degrees in a skillet on the stovetop deep enough to submerge the sfinge, or in a electric deep fryer (my preference) Carefully drop about 6 balls at a time in the hot oil. Fry about 3-5 minutes golden brown. If the balls don't roll over on their own, you will have to flip them with a fork. Drain on paper towels.
• While still warm, roll the sfingi in cinnamon sugar.
• Enjoy right away. They are best eaten warm.

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY CREAM PUFFS / SFINGI DI SAN GIUSEPPE

Steps:

• For cream puffs: Combing butter, salt and water in a sauce pan.
• Bring mixture to a boil.
• Add flour all at one time, mixing well by hand (with a wooden spoon), until the dough forms a ball and leaves the sides of the pan.
• Remove pan from heat, and let cool a little.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add sugar and grated lemon and orange peels, and mix thoroughly (dough should have a slight gloss or sheen to it).
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Line a large sheet (or jelly roll) pan with parchment.
• Attach a# 4 tip (large star tip) to a pastry bag.
• Fill the pastry bag with the dough, and squeezing the dough through the bag, form donut shaped circles on the parchment, be careful that you do not move the bag too quickly or the dough will be stretched too thin.
• The dough circles should be about 1 inch thick.
• Leave a 2-inch space between each circle.
• Bake at 400F for about 10 minutes, reduce heat to 325F and bake for 30 minutes more or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven, carefully cut a small slit horizontally into the side of each puff, place on a rack to cool.
• When completely cooled, carefully slice each puff in half horizontally (forming a top and a bottom).
• Filling: In a large bowl; cream the drained ricotta well, until very smooth.
• Add flavorings and stir to blend well.
• Add sugar and mix well, filling should be thick (stiff) enough to hold its shape, if it is not, add more sugar.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a# 4 tip (large star tip) with the ricotta mixture.
• Squeeze the filling on to the bottom half of each puff.
• Place cherries on top of the filling (spaced about 1/2 inch apart).
• Replace tops on the puffs, and gently press down just enough to press the cherries part way into the filling.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving.
• Sfingi may be lightly dusted with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving (optional).
• Note: Sfingi are best served/eaten the day they are made, because once they are filled, the puffs can soften.
• The puffs may be made a day ahead, and filled before serving.
• The filling may be made a day ahead of serving and stored (covered) in the refrigerator.

SFINGE DI SAN GIUSEPPE - ST. JOSEPH'S DAY CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Puff pastry shell: Combine first five ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Cook, stirring constantly until the dough leaves the side of the pan and starts to form a ball.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the grated orange& lemon peel.
• Drop by tablespoon on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350 degrees F.
• for another 25 minutes.
• Cream Filling: Stir the filling ingredients together until smooth.
• When the puffs have cooled, cut a small slice off the top.
• Fill puffs and replace the small slice on top of filling.
• Enjoy.