Sweetcorn Beignets Recipes

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a medium-size bowl, add the warm water, sugar, and yeast and whisk well to combine. Sit aside for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture has bubbled up and become foamy.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and evaporated milk. Beat in 3 and 1/2 cups of the flour until smooth. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly pour in the yeast mixture (careful here - this mixture can splash up if added to quickly!); beat until smooth. Add in the butter and beat until incorporated. Finally, beat in the remaining 3 and 1/2 cups of flour and salt. Beat until dough is smooth and cohesive; about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Line a large rimmed baking sheet with three layers of paper towels, set aside.
• In a large enameled cast-iron pan, heat 4-inches of oil to 360 degrees (F). Remove the dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into 2 and 1/2-inch squares.
• In batches, fry the dough until they puff up and are golden brown in color, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beignets to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve at once!

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.

SWEET CORN BEIGNETS WITH BACON-SUGAR DUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the corn, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, vanilla and 4-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine confectioners' sugar and bacon. Process until combined; set aside., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 16-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Cut into 2-in. squares. , In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry squares, a few at a time, until golden brown, about 1-1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Dust with bacon-sugar mixture. Serve warm.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
• Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
• Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

CORN AND SHRIMP BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Line a sheet pan with a layer of paper towels or fit with a wire rack. Fill a deep, medium saucepan with oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium-high to 350 degrees.
• While the oil heats, whisk the flour, ground cayenne, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Zest the lemon right into the bowl; slice the lemon into wedges and set aside for serving. To the bowl, add the chives, corn and shrimp. Stir to combine. Pour in the seltzer and stir until just combined. Fold in the sour cream until just incorporated.
• Once a deep-fry or candy thermometer reads 350 degrees, the oil is ready. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, you also can see if the oil is hot enough by dropping a tiny dollop of the batter into the pot: Bubbles should form around the batter immediately and the dollop should float to the surface. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, carefully drop tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil and fry, turning frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Maintain the temperature of the oil while frying by raising or lowering the heat as needed.
• Transfer the beignets to the paper towels or rack using a slotted spoon or tongs. Repeat the frying process with the remaining batter.
• Serve the beignets warm, with lemon wedges for squeezing and with sweet chile sauce for dipping, if using. Sprinkle the beignets with a little salt, if you like.