This recipe is from the Cafe de Monde at the French Quarter in New Orleans. Every trip to New Orleans required a trip to the Cafe de Monde for beignets. Eat with plenty of napkins!
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons sugar
1 package dry yeast
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar lots!
In enameled pot, heat milk. Combine shortening and sugar in a bowl and add milk, stir until all is dissolved. When cooled, add yeast and dissolve. Sift in flour, salt, nutmeg and add about 1/2 to the milk mixture. Mix until smooth and add the egg, beat well. Add the remaining flour mixture and stir until all is smooth. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise, about 5-6 hours.
Put dough onto a floured surface and roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into 2 or 3 inch squares and let stand 20 minutes before frying. Heat oil in deep fryer 1-2 inches deep and fry squares, turning only once. When golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to blot excess oil. Dust with powdered sugar and eat immediately.
Beignets comes from the Cook'n Deep Fried collection. Click here to order this CD or download this brand-name recipe set right now!