Mardi Gras is Tuesday. In New Orleans, fried dough pillows called beignets are the favorite. To celebrate Carnival season, make the dough the night before; then fry in the morning so they’re hot and heavenly!
Ingredients
1 package dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups flour
oil for deep frying
powdered sugar
Instructions
Dissolve yeast in the warm water. Add next five ingredients plus optional salt, if desired, then beat in the flour. Dough will be sticky.
On a floured board, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch. Cut into 2-inch squares.
Heat oil to 370 degrees F. Drop beignets in oil a few at a time. As they puff, turn them to brown other side. Remove, drain, and dust with powdered sugar.
