Crisp Fried Pastries Recipes

CHURROS RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oil at 320F degrees while you make the churro batter. You can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature.
• Place the water, vanilla extract, salt, and butter in a saucepan at medium- high heat.
• Once it comes to a rolling boil, stir in the flour all at once. It is very important that the water is boiling to ensure that the dough will render crispy churros.
• Mix the dough vigorously using a wooden spoon or spatula. You have to do this step very quickly.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat, wait about a minute, then add the egg. Keep mixing until the egg is completely integrated into the dough (you can use a mixer for this step). In the beginning, the dough will want to separate after adding the egg, but keep mixing until the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth and soft dough that separates from the bottom of the pot. This step will take a few minutes.
• Place the dough in the pastry bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. Make sure there aren't any bubbles of air in the dough while you place it inside the bag.
• Pipe 6-inch strips of dough on a prepared tray and then fry them (see notes). You can also pipe the strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting them with your kitchen scissors. The oil will start bubbling when you add the raw churro, and at this point you must not touch the oil or the churro, to avoid having an explosion.
• Fry the churros for about 2 to 2.5 minutes in hot oil ( 320F) until golden brown (in total it should take 4-5 minutes to cook each churro), and then turn the churros to have an even crispiness and golden color.
• Once they are golden, remove from the heat, place on the paper towel to drain for a few seconds, and then roll in the sugar.

TRADITIONAL FRIED ROSETTES PASTRY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place 3 inches of canola oil in a deep fryer or deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat to 375 F, using a candy/frying thermometer clipped to the pot. Attach the desired rosette shapes to your handle (some handles can accommodate 2 rosette shapes).
• While oil is heating, prepare the batter. In a medium bowl, add sugar to eggs and whisk to combine.
• Add milk and whisk to combine.
• Measure the flour correctly and whisk together with the salt.
• Transfer to the bowl with eggs and milk and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix again. (The consistency should be that of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add a little milk. If the batter is too thick, the rosettes will not be crisp.)
• When ready to fry, immerse the rosette iron with attached shape(s) into the hot oil until thoroughly heated (1 minute or so). Lift iron out, shaking off excess fat and blotting onto a paper towel. Dip into prepared batter only to the depth of the form, not over the top as the excess batter will have to be scraped off after frying in order to take the rosette off the form.
• Dip forms into the hot oil. When foamy bubbling stops and/or rosettes are a golden brown, lift iron out of oil, allowing excess oil to drain off back into the fryer or saucepan.
• Remove the rosettes using a skewer to push them off or tap the back side of the rosette forms with a wooden spoon. Drain rosettes open side down on paper towels so excess oil will run out.
• Dip the rosette iron into the hot fat, blot lightly on paper towels and then dip into the batter. Continue in this manner until all the batter is used up. Dust the rosettes with confectioners sugar while still warm or when cool, or just before serving.
• Serve and enjoy.

FRIED PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine egg and water, and sprinkle lightly over flour mixture. Add vinegar, and lightly stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball.
• Wrap dough in wax paper. Chill for at least one hour. Use as directed in any fried pie recipe.