Sweet Potato Beignets
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon anise seeds
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup turbinado sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 3 -inch strip orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Combine the sweet potato, squash, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds and 2 cups water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl and mash with a fork.
- Discard the cinnamon sticks; let the liquid cool until just warm.
- Transfer 1/4 cup of the warm cooking liquid to a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top.
- Set aside until foamy, about 8 minutes.
- Stir the salt, yeast mixture and another 1/2 cup cooking liquid into the potato mixture.
- Add the flour and knead by hand until combined (the dough will be sticky).
- Cover with plastic wrap; set aside in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the syrup: Bring the sugar, molasses, the remaining cinnamon stick and 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, the orange zest, lemon juice and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and orange zest.
- Let the syrup cool slightly.
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360 degrees F. Fry heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough, turning once or twice, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes; drain on paper towels.
- Drizzle with the syrup.
- Photograph by Anna Williams
sweet potato, butternut squash, cinnamon sticks, anise seeds, active dry yeast, kosher salt, flour, turbinado sugar, molasses, orange zest, lemon juice, vegetable oil
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/sweet-potato-beignets-recipe.html (may not work)