Recette : Beignets aux pommes

Many French families make these apple fritters at the time of Mardi Gras (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday - a Christian celebration). However it is a snack that they enjoy eating at any time.

Ingredients:

• Oil or shortening (melted in fry pan)
• 2 apples
• 2 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon measure of vanilla
• 2 cups of flour (1 at a time)
• Cinnamon & sugar mixed (for dipping beignets after cooking)

Utensils (equipment):

• Electric fry pan (set for deep frying - 400°)
• 8-10 paper towels (for peels and for draining oil)
• Metal spoon (for removing fritters from oil)
• Wire whip (for mixing)
• Wooden spoon (for mixing)
• 1 medium mixing bowl
• 1 spatula (do not use in the oil)
• 2 1-cup measuring cups
• 1 teaspoon measuring spoon
• 1-2 peelers
• 1-2 paring knives

Caution: Do not get near the hot oil and do not let it get too hot before cooking.

Method:

1. Peel, core and slice the apples in thin slices (If you have time you could cut the apples across to make thin rounds to dip in the batter. These will resemble the shape of donuts then).
2. Put the eggs, salt, milk and vanilla in the medium bowl and beat with the wire whip for a minute.
3. Add 1 cup of flour to the egg mixture (of number 2) and mix with the wire whip. Clean off the whip.
4. Add the next 1 cup of flour and continue mixing with the wooden spoon until all of the flour is mixed in.
5. Add the slices of apple to the batter and stir them in.
6. Carefully use the wooden spoon to scoop up about 1/4 cup of batter and gently slide it off the spoon into the hot oil using the rubber spatula (Be careful not to put either the wooden spoon or the rubber spatula in the oil). If the first beignet is sizzling, the oil in hot enough and you can put 6-8 beignets in the oil to cook at one time.
7. Using the metal spoon turn the beignets over once they are golden brown on the bottom. When both sides are cooked, use the metal spoon to remove them from the oil and put them to drain the paper towels until they are cooled.
8. Roll the beignets in the sugar and cinnamon mixture to sweeten them and eat while still warm.