Beignet
From Free net encyclopedia
A beignet (pronounced ben–YAY) is a pastry made from deep-fried dough and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar or glazed with fondant. This variety is similar to zeppole. In the United States they are often found in, and typically associated with, the city of New Orleans, Louisiana and the restaurant Café du Monde. Beignets are also found in France, where they are sometimes filled with fruit.
Beignets are sometimes called yeast donuts or boules de Berlin (Yves Thuriès in French Pastry) and are very similar to Polish pączki. They can also be made with brioche dough.
One possible method of making a beignet is to make a dough from 200 grams of fine flour, with a bit of water, two egg yolks, 10 grams of melted butter and a dash of salt. Before mixing with the (optional) chosen fruit(s), the whisked egg whites (beaten to a foam) are incorporated. After letting the dough sit overnight to rise, it is deep-fried.
In certain parts of France a beignet can incorporate meats. The classic French beignet is simply a deep-fried cream puff pastry.
References
- Rosana G Moreira et al, Deep Fat Frying: Fundamentals and Applications, ISBN 0834213214
- Yves Thuriès, French Pastry, ISBN 0471285986