Fried and Prejudice
by Will Bailey
True story.
I’m fat. It’s not that I weigh a lot, or go shopping in a scooter, it’s that I am American, and all Americans are fat, right? Wrong! Our great nation of industrialized enterprisers, free-speech provocateurs, and fifteen-year-old rappers with Twitter accounts has been misrepresented by the domestic and foreign medias as a nation of fatties. I cry foul, sir! I also cry fowl, because I love ducks (seriously, who doesn’t love a good Mallard?). And to prove that our country has been improperly labeled as a confederation of obese land manatees, I am going to the one place Americans young and old, black and white, blonde and smart (I’m a blonde so I get immunity for that joke) can come together as one, have a good time, and enjoy the fruits of another successful harvest: The County Fair. Yep, here we are, just look at all these happy people! Wow! Look at that cornucopia of fresh, organic vegetables! See? We value health and nutrition so much that we give people ribbons for growing the best veg- WHAT IS THAT SMELL?! OMG FRIED DOUGH?? I HAVEN’T HAD FRIED DOUGH IN YEARS!! LET’S GET SOME!! OH, LOOK: THE POWDERED SUGAR SHAKER IS COVERED IN BEES!! I DON’T CARE I’M STILL GOING TO USE IT!! And that, my friends, is the true story of how a brave young man rose above the unfair perception that his society was comprised entirely of fat people by shaking a giant bottle of powdered sugar that was literally covered in bees over a piece of dough fried in lard that he consumed in approximately fifteen seconds. Goodnight, sweet prince.
Fried dough is best with honey – straight from the source.
STRUFFOLI / HONEY DOUGH BALLS
A very traditional Italian holiday and/or special occasion treat, always made at Christmas time, these little, ball-shaped cookies are a holiday favorite for many Italian families. Struffoli originated in the Naples area of Italy, which was influenced by the Greeks who once controlled Naples. The name “struffoli” comes from the Greek “strongulos” which means “round in shape”. Traditionally, the dough is made on a table top by putting the flour and eggs on the table and mixing with the hands.
Ingredients:
6 eggs (regular size)
2 Tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons canola oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
½ teaspoon fresh orange zest
flour, for dusting
1 quart canola oil (for frying)
1 (1 lb) jar honey (clover or orange blossom)
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind
4 oz. slivered almonds, toasted
Tiny round, colored sprinkles for decorating
Chocolate chips or mini chocolate Chips
.
PREPARATION:
1. Place flour, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center.
In separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, lemon and orange zest, and 1½ teaspoons oil until foamy.
Add egg mixture to well in center of flour. Using hands, mix and knead the mixture well, forming a dough. Knead until smooth. (A mixer with a dough hook may be used for mixing/kneading the dough.)
Form dough into ball and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface, and divide dough into 8-10 smaller balls.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a “rope” about ½” wide and 10 inches long.
Using a sharp knife, cut each rope into 1/3 inch pieces and hand roll into balls the size of marbles.
Dust cut pieces with a bit of flour.
Heat 1 quart canola oil to 350 F.
Shake off excess flour and drop the balls into the oil a few at a time. DO NOT CROWD the frying pan.
Cook until lightly golden, turning them constantly with a wooden spoon.
Remove each batch of balls with a slotted spoon or wire mesh and place on heavy brown paper or paper towels to drain.
Continue frying until all balls have been fried.
Place drained, fried balls into a large mixing bowl or roasting pan, separating each new layer with a cooked balls with more paper towels.
Pour the honey into a large frying pan, and heat until bubbly; remove from heat.
Honey may be thinned with 2-3 Tablespoons of water to make a less sticky/sweet coating, if desired.
Stir in grated orange peel and pour honey mixture over the fried dough balls.
With a wooden spoon, gently stir and toss the balls until all are evenly coated with honey.
Allow to cool completely then stir in chocolate chips, toasted almond slivers, and colored sprinkles to decorate.
Optional: Before adding sprinkles, use hands to place honey coated balls and chocolate chips on to a large plate, mounding them into a cone/pyramid shape. Sprinkle with colored sprinkles.
NOTE: If struffoli are too sticky to handle while shaping, slightly wet hands with cold water to help keep them from sticking to your hands while shaping.
Struffoli will stay fresh if they are stored tightly covered in a cool, dry place.
Incredible. Will try ASAP!
Hanging out in Topsfield recently? Yeah, that’s right, I’m going all creepy stalker on you! Kidding. Honestly. I’m even leaving the state on Saturday, so… don’t even bother with the restraining order! Totally unnecessary!
I’m peering through my vertical blinds now…