To accompany my novel in progress: Breaking Bread, welcome to Le Boulangerie.
It is Fat Tuesday today, Mardi Gras or if you are Pennsylvania Dutch (German) — Fasnacht Day (Fast Night Day), the last day before the start of Lent, which if you are observant is not supposed to be a whole lot of fun. Thus Fat Tuesday, is the last day to party hard and indulge in sweets and other goodies before the restrictions apply.
Beignets are pastries made from deep frying choux pastry dough (light, moist dough that will puff up when fried). When a heavier yeast pastry is used, they are referred to as boules de Berlin or Berliner doughnuts. (Fun fact: Remember when President Kennedy said ‘Ich bin ein Berliners’ [we are all Berliners]? – he was telling everyone they were doughnuts. Speechwriter, you had one job…)
In New Orleans, the Cafe du Monde is famous for its beignets. And what other city in the USA is more famous for its Mardi Gras celebration than New Orleans? So in Le Boulangerie this week, we ‘laissez le bon temps roulez’ and made beignets. I trashed my kitchen and developed diabetes in one fell swoop…
Beignets (makes about 2 dozen):
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten and at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil for frying
Method:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast and one tablespoon of the sugar in the warm water for about 5 minutes. It’ll get foamy. Add the milk, egg, vanilla, butter, the rest of the sugar, baking soda, salt, and flour. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, dust with more flour, and either flatten by hand or roll to an 1/8 inch thickness. Using a knife (or I used a pizza cutter) cut the dough into 2 inch squares. They don’t have to be perfect. Mine were all different shapes and sizes.
Preheat the oil such that a drop of water will sizzle when you test it. I realize that’s not very precise… do your best. Err on the side of too cool rather than too hot. Gently drop the squares, a few at a time, into the hot oil. Once they have risen and puffed, flip and cook on the other side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining dough. Generously dust with confectioners’ sugar. Eat until they’re gone or you’re in a sugar coma, whichever comes first!
I grew up with a Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother and always looked forward to Shrove Tuesday. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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Ah! Very cool! Do you ever make them yourself?
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Yup, drenched in sugar. Licking my fingers thinking about it.😊
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Ha! Awesome! 😀
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Oui, oui!!! Laissez les bon temps rouler, indeed! They’re the best. Happy Mardi Gras! 😃
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Merci beaucoup, mon ami! You were right, I couldn’t possibly share these with anyone! 😀
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Nope. It’s funny, but when we hit Cafe du Monde, an order is three. Never enough. A double order is a must! They are fantastic, especially when still warm. Man, I’m missin’ NOLA today. 😕
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I’ll tell you what, they really weren’t hard to make. I did trash the kitchen, though – flour and powdered sugar everywhere. Although truth be told I’m a messy cook/baker anyway so…
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Well worth the mess, no? 😃
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Most definitely!
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😃😃
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I’ll be right over. YUM!
I never want to make anything that involves deep frying/that much oil. It just seems like such a chore. And I am lazy. But I want those!
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Yeah, it really makes a mess. But totally worth it!!! These turned out sooo good! 😀 Come on down, I’ll put the coffee on!
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I will embarrass myself with how many of those I could eat…
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Well, I’ve already gone down that road!
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Better make a few more batches because there’s a party of seven hiding your way now!
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All right, will do!
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Oh, yum. Beignets and chicory flavored coffee at Cafe du Monde! When my sis and BIL were stationed in New Orleans, they lived in Metairie and I was lucky enough to go for Mardi Gras many times! Wild and fun celebration 🙂
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Ah! That’s awesome, Dee. I’d like to experience it once in my lifetime. Or at least observe from a safe distance!
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I remember being in the thick of the parade once and it was kind of claustrophobic! Definitely for the young ones 🙂
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I hear you!
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Those look heavenly! I’ve only had them once in Nashville.
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They are pretty amazing! What a mess though!
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Lol!
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Good posts, beautiful blog.
Congratulations.
Welcome to see my creations:
paintdigi.com
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They sure look good to me. I’m on the Welsh pancakes tonight (crempogau). My annual FatFest! It ill be good.
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I am so impressed! Your beignets are beautiful and look perfect! I’ll be right over with my chicory coffee
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Perfect! I’ll keep an eye out!
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A sugar coma sounds like something I might try one day.
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That could be the best of all worlds for you Cake!
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It does sound heavenly
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Sweets and sleep – has your name on it.
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It does indeed… I am such a child
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Young at heart, old in soul.
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Is that a compliment
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Of course!
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Hmmm
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What? You don’t like that idea?
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I suppose so… just feeling old at the moment
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Oh… wrong thing to say. I apologize, that’s not how I meant. More like you are timeless. Now stop it, you’ll make me feel old and I’m just getting over my last birthday.
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Ahh I am sorry
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It’s ok…
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Quel delice!. Soft and scrumptious Beignets 🙂
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Ah they were really good! 😀
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