Beignets

(ben-yays)

Café du Monde is the most popular place in New Orleans to get Beignets, café au lait, and chicory coffee.

1 cup lukewarm water

1/3 cup powdered milk

2 tablespoons shortening

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon dry yeast

1 egg

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

vegetable oil, for deep frying

powdered sugar

Mix the water, milk, shortening, sugar, and dry yeast; mix in the egg. Using a dough hook, add the flour and salt until the mixture is a very soft dough.

Let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and knead gently on floured board. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into 2-inch squares with a pizza cutter. Cover and let rise again 30-45 minutes.

Drop squares into hot oil, turning once when golden brown on bottom side. Drain on paper towels and dust with sifted powdered sugar. Serve warm.