New Orleans Essentials Cheesy Chicken Beignets Recipes

NEW ORLEANS ESSENTIALS: CHEESY CHICKEN BEIGNETS

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• THE FILLING
• Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• Cook the chopped bacon in a sauté pan, over medium heat, and cook until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crisp.
• Remove from the pan, drain on paper towels, and reserve.
• Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breast.
• Add the chicken breast to the sauté pan, and reduce the heat to medium low
• Slowly cook the chicken breast in the bacon grease until cooked through, about 8 - 10 minutes.
• Chef's Tip: If the chicken breast is thick, you can cut it in half, lengthwise, to cut down on the cooking time (like I did).
• Remove from the pan, allow to slightly cool, then shred, and chop.
• Add the chicken, bacon, and cream cheese, to a bowl, and gently mix together.
• Cover, place into the fridge, and allow to cool for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the filling from the fridge, and shape into small balls of one rounded tablespoon each.
• Place on a baking tray, lined with parchment paper, and return to the fridge for an additional hour.
• THE BATTER
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Add the flour, and spices to a large bowl, and then add the beer until the mixture begins to become smooth.
• Then whisk in the egg yolk.
• Chef's Note: The mixture will be thick; like a tempura batter.
• THE ASSEMBLY
• Add about 2 inches (5cm) of oil to a pot, and bring the temperature up to 375f (190c).
• Take three of the chicken balls and add them to the batter.
• Make sure that they are completely coated, and then remove and carefully place into the oil.
• Chef's Note: Allow to cook until golden brown, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• Remove from the oil, and place on paper towels to drain.
• Chef's Note: Continue to cook the remaining beignets.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve while nice and warm with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

NEW ORLEANS BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, oil, sugar, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Punch down dough. Turn onto a floured surface; roll into a 16x12-in. rectangle. Cut into 2-in. squares. , In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 1 inch oil to 375°. Fry squares, in batches, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Roll warm beignets in confectioners' sugar.