Thin Wandies Recipes

FRAPPE OR CIOFFE: BOWS AND RIBBONS OF FRIED SWEETENED DOUGH

Steps:

• Using a stand mixer, place eggs, sugar, salt, and whisky in a large bowl and mix for two minutes or so (if making by hand, combine the ingredients, and stir well with a wooden spoon.)
• Add one cup (in UK, just use a regular cup-no need to measure) of flour and mix well.
• Add the remaining flour and mix until a slightly sticky dough forms.
• With hands, shape dough into a ball and refrigerate, covered, for about an hour.
• Remove from fridge and cut dough in half and roll out one piece very thinly, on floured workspace.
• Dough will be elastic, but re-roll it if it gets too thick. Using a knife or cutter to cut into strips. Use a pasta rolling machine if you have one.
• Cut a strip: no size is right or wrong, but about 6 or 7 inches is a good size. Make a little cut towards one end. Now place the opposite end through that slit, and pull through to make a ribbon shape. Repeat, until all of dough is used.
• Meanwhile, heat some oil in a pot or deep fryer (I use a wok) until hot. Before dropping the pastry in the oil, pull and stretch each one, so that it is thinner (as they shrink after being shaped) then begin frying the pastries until puffed and light brown on each side.
• Remove with strainer and place on a paper towel lined plate to cool.
• When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar (or decorate with icing, or honey.)

WANDI'S, NEAPOLITIN BALLS OR STRUFFOLI

Steps:

• 1. Blend the flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix in the butter with a pastry blender or fork. Blend in the vanilla and eggs 2 at a time. The batter should be like very thick cookie dough.
• 2. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until very smooth. Flour your hands when the dough gets sticky. Place the dough on a floured board and form into a large ball, dust lightly with flour and cover with a clean cloth and let sit for 30 minutes.
• 3. STRUFFOLI/WANDI'S: Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4" thick and cut into strips about 1 1/2" wide and 10" to 12" long. Shape into bows or roll into semi loose coils. Fry in hot oil and dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
• 4. NEAPOLITAN BALLS: Divide dough into 4 parts. Roll each part into a long rope about 1/2" thick and cut into 1/2" pieces. Fry pieces in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, drizzle with warm honey. Can add a pinch of orange or lemon peel to the honey for extra flavor. Decorate with colored sprinkles after drizzling with honey or omit the honey and dust with powdered sugar.

ITALIAN BOWTIE PASTRY (WANDAS)

Steps:

• In one bowl, mix flour, salt and sugar.
• In a separate bowl, blend egg, butter and vanilla.
• Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the egg mixture, mix until a stiff dough forms.
• Add sherry a tablespoon at a time until the dough becomes smooth and pliable.
• Cover and chill 2 hours.
• Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch.
• Cut narrow strips and twist into loose knots.
• Fill deep fryer or heavy pot with 1-1/2 to 2 inches of oil.
• Heat to 375 degrees F.
• Fry cookies until they puff and turn golden brown (about 2 minutes).
• Drain on paper towels or brown bags.
• Dust with sugar while still warm.