BEIGNETS

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons warm water (105°F)
• 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoon vegetable shortening
• 1 tablespoon sugar (plus a pinch for yeast proofing)
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 large egg white
• 3 tablespoons boiling water
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
• 2 cups neutral oil for frying (I use canola)
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

to 105° in, add the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Stir to dissolve. Let it sit and confirm the yeast is active---it will foam. If it does not foam, throw it out and start over.

1. Meanwhile, combine the shortening, sugar, milk, and egg white in a small cup. Whisk together well, then add the boiling water. Test the temperature of this mixture, and when it's between 105-110°, add it to the foamy yeast mixture. Stir well.
2. Add the flour to the bowl, and stir gently to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour. You can make the dough ahead of time up to this point. I have kept dough for 3 days in the fridge before frying, and it's fine.
3. Heat the oil in a deep pot to 360°.
4. Meanwhile, divide the dough in half, and roll it out on a floured counter into a square about 6" wide. Use a pizza wheel to cut it into 5 or 6 squares. (see photo above for reference)
5. When the oil is at 360°, drop in 3 square of dough. Do not walk away. The first side fries for 1-2 minutes. When golden brown on one side, flip the squares using a fork and continue to fry. When that side is golden brown (about 1 minute more), remove from the oil onto a cooling rack lined with paper towels.
6. Roll out the other half of the dough, cut into squares, and fry all the squares.
7. After cooling for about 5 minutes, dunk the beignets into the powdered sugar. Serve with all the extra powdered sugar piled on top.

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