Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Photos Here!

Today I received the photos from a shoot Erin and I worked on together. My website is being rebuilt and I love Erin's work so it was only natural to have her shoot the photos for it. I couldn't be happier with the results!









Saturday, December 17, 2011

Recipe: Apple Fritters

My mother has been talking about making apple fritters for years, but for some reason we never got around to it. This holiday we swore we would make them and we did! I used a recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, 'Lottie and Doof', for inspiration and made a few changes of my own. They are absolutely delicious and a festive treat for the holidays... or anytime really :)


Apple Fritters (Recipe from October 2010, Bon Appétit- courtesy of lottie and doof)
Fritter Coating
•    1/2 cup sugar
•    1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* Can also use confectioner's sugar or pile a few in a small bowl and drizzle with maple syrup! Yum!

Apple Filling
•    2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
•    1 pound Pink Lady or Golden Delicious apples (about 3), peeled, cored, cut into 1/3-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
•    2 tablespoons sugar
•    1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fritter Base
•    2 teaspoons Madagascar vanilla
•    1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
•    1/2 cup sugar
•    1 teaspoon baking powder
•    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•    2/3 cup buttermilk
•    2 large eggs, separated
•    2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
•    1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
•    Canola oil (for deep-frying)

Fritter Coating:
Blend sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Coating can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.

Apple Filling:
Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon; toss to coat. Sauté until apples are browned in spots and just tender, stirring often, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Set filling aside in skillet to cool.

Fritter Base:
Place double layer of paper towels on work surface. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and spices in large bowl to blend. Whisk buttermilk, egg yolks, melted butter, and vanilla in medium bowl to blend. Gradually stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients. Beat egg whites and coarse salt in another medium bowl until peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into fritter base, then fold in cooled apple filling.
Pour enough oil into heavy large saucepan to reach depth of 1 1/2 inches (5 to 6 cups). Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan. Heat oil to 320°F to 330°F over medium heat. Working in batches of 5 or 6, drop batter into oil by tablespoonfuls. Fry fritters until deep golden brown and cooked through, turning fritters occasionally and adjusting heat to maintain oil temperature, about 4 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer fritters to paper towels. Drain briefly, then toss warm fritters in cinnamon-sugar coating. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet.  Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 350°F oven 5 minutes, if desired.

Mound fritters on a plate and serve!