Zeppole Italian Ricotta Doughnuts Food

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla. Mix gently over low heat until combined. Batter will be sticky.
• Drop by tablespoons into the hot oil a few at a time. Zeppole will turn over by themselves. Fry until golden brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain in a paper sack and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

ZEPPOLE, ITALIAN RICOTTA DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a Medium sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and the 3 tablespoons of sugar and then set aside.
• In a stand mixer or a hand held mixer, beat together the eggs and the ricotta cheese just until fairly smooth.
• Stir the flour mixture into the ricotta mixture until thoroughly combined.
• In a large heavy pot or a dutch oven, pour in enough oil to reach 2 inches high and heat to 375*. A candy thermometer comes in handy in order to get the right temperature and ensuring the oil does not drop under 350*, while you are frying between batches.
• If the oil is not hot enough the doughnuts will be too soggy and if it is too hot then the outside will darken quickly leaving the inside under cooked.
• Use a 1 1/2 inch scoop or 2 small spoons to drop bits of dough into the hot oil.
• Fry the zeppole for about 2 to 3 minutes, turning often until they are puffed, fluffy and golden brown.
• Larger sized doughnuts will need extra time. Use a slotted spoon to remove the zeppole from the pan and drain them on paper towels. Repeat until you have used up all the batter.
• Dust with icing or powdered sugar and serve while still warm.

ZEPPOLE ITALIAN DONUTS / DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl beat ricotta cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
• Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Add flour, granualted sugar, baking powder, and salt & beat on low speed until just combined.
• Let batter stand 30 minutes. Drop batter by well-rounded teaspoons, four or five at a time, into deep hot fat (365 degree F).
• and cook 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown turning once.
• Remove doughnuts with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter. Cool completely.
• Shake doughnuts in a bag with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or cinnamon/sugar mixture.
• Makes 3 dozen.

COFFEE-GLAZED ITALIAN DOUGHNUTS (ZEPPOLE)

Steps:

• For the doughnuts: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour. Using a wooded spoon, quickly stir the mixture until all the flour is fully incorporated and forms a thick dough. Return the pan to the heat and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a stand mixture fitted with a paddle attachment. With the machine running on medium speed, add the eggs and egg yolk, 1 at a time until fully incorporated. Beat the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until thick and glossy. Add the lemon zest and beat until smooth. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream, coffee liqueur, and espresso powder until smooth. With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, stir in the water, 1/4 teaspoon at a time.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in a couple of minutes.)
• Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 small spoons, carefully drop scoops (about 1 tablespoon) of the dough into the oil. (Do not crowd the pan,) Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning occasionally, until the zeppole are golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all of the dough has been used. When the zeppole is cool enough to handle, dip the top halves in the glaze.
• Using a hand grater, grate the chocolate, if using, over serving plates. Place 3 to 4 zeppole on each plate and garnish with fresh raspberries, if using. Serve immediately.

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla. Mix gently over low heat until combined. Batter will be sticky.
• Drop by tablespoons into the hot oil a few at a time. Zeppole will turn over by themselves. Fry until golden brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain in a paper sack and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

PUMPKIN ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl.
• Whisk ricotta, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together in a separate mixing bowl until smooth. Pour mixture into dry ingredients. Mix together until mixture becomes a loose batter.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Use one spoon to scoop out a heaping tablespoon of dough and a second spoon to carefully push dough into hot oil. Fry in batches for about 1 minute. If zeppole don't turn over by themselves after 1 minute, gently turn each with a strainer to brown on the other side, about 1 more minute. Remove with a strainer and drain on cooling rack.