Roccos Famous Hot Sticks Recipes

DAVID ROCCO'S ITALIAN NUTELLA-FILLED BOMBOLONI

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast with 1/3 cup of the milk in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining milk. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest, and mix together.
• Add the egg and milk mixture slowly to the flour, and mix until the dough is roughly combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the yeast mixture, and continue to mix the dough for a few minutes. Add the butter to the dough a little at a time until mixed in. Sprinkle in a little flour if the dough is sticking to the bowl and mix until it no longer sticks to the sides. The dough should be very soft and not sticky. Transfer the dough onto a work surface and knead the dough into a ball, then put in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Proof the dough until doubled in size, 3 hours.
• Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until about 3/4-inch thick. Using a round pastry cutter the size of a cup, cut the dough into disks. Place the dough on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cover with plastic wrap. Proof the dough for another 1 hour 30 minutes.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about halfway. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted into the oil reaches 340 degrees F.
• Add the pieces of dough, a few at a time, to the hot oil. When the dough is golden on one side gently turn over to fry the other side, 3 to 5 minutes. When the doughnuts are golden remove from the fryer and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Then roll the doughnuts in sugar until completely covered.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a pastry tip with the chocolate hazelnut spread. Poke the tip three-quarters into the doughnut and squeeze the bag, pulling the tip out and adding as much spread as possible to the doughnut. Serve warm.

FRIED TOFU STICKS

Steps:

• Toast the bread crumbs in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Mix in the oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Cut the block of tofu horizontally in half. Then cut it in half the long way. Make 5 cuts perpendicular to the long cut, creating 24 pieces. Cover a sheet pan with paper towels. Place the tofu in one layer on the towels. Blot the tofu, pressing it gently with additional towels to remove excess moisture.
• Heat the oil in a deep skillet to 375 degrees F. Cover a second baking sheet with more paper towels. Place the beaten eggs in a wide, shallow dish.
• Dip the tofu in the egg. Dredge the pieces in the bread crumb mixture until completely coated. Slip the breaded tofu into the hot oil, 3 or 4 pieces at a time. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan using a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels.
• Serve immediately, accompanied by the Honey Mustard for dipping. Or, let the sticks cool and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Before serving, recrisp by baking in a 350 degree F oven for about 12 minutes.
• Puree the tofu in a food processor. Add the mustard, honey, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, dry mustard, and salt. Process until well blended. The finished dipping sauce will have the texture of runny mayonnaise.
• Turn the sauce into a container, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours. This gives the ingredients time to meld and their flavors to develop. Chilling thickens the sauce to a spreadable texture. Stirring brings it back to the texture of a dip or a thick sauce. (This condiment will keep for up to 1 week, tightly covered and refrigerated.)