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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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These light, airy pillows of fried dough, traditionally drizzled with honey or sprinkled with powdered sugar, are one of the Southwest's great treats. They're rewarding to make because the process seems magical: When you push the pieces of dough into the hot oil, they puff up like balloons. Ingredients:
1 package (2 1/4 tsp.) active dry yeast |
1 1/2 cups milk |
3 tablespoons fresh lard or vegetable shortening |
2 tablespoons granulated sugar |
1 teaspoon salt |
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided |
1 cup whole-wheat flour |
vegetable oil |
powdered sugar and honey |
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm (100° to 110°) water for 5 minutes. In a 1 1/2- to 2-qt. pan, combine milk, the lard, sugar, and salt; heat to 110° and add to dissolved yeast. With a wooden spoon or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir 3 cups all-purpose flour and all the whole-wheat flour into the yeast mixture; beat until dough is stretchy. Stir in another 1 cup all-purpose flour to form a stiff dough.
2. Beat on medium speed until dough pulls cleanly from side of bowl and is no longer sticky (or knead until no longer sticky). If it's still sticky, add more all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp. at a time, and beat or knead until dough is smooth. Put hand-mixed dough in an oiled bowl and turn over to coat top.
3. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm (about 80°) place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down dough. If you're not ready to cut and fry dough, cover again and chill up to 1 day.
4. Knead dough on a lightly floured work surface to expel air. Cut into 4 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time, roll into a circle about 1/8 in. thick; with a floured knife, cut into 6 equal wedges and lay in a single layer on a floured rimmed baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill while you roll and cut remaining dough.
5. Pour enough oil into a 5- to 6-qt. pan to come 1 1/2 to 2 in. up side of pan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry or candy thermometer registers 350°, then adjust heat to maintain temperature. Drop one or two pieces of dough into oil. With a slotted spoon, push them down into oil until they begin to puff. Fry until pale gold on both sides, turning over as needed to brown evenly, 2 to 3 minutes total. Drain in paper towel-lined pans. Fry remaining sopaipillas the same way.
6. Serve immediately, or keep first ones warm in a 200° oven until all are fried. Serve plain or dusted with powdered sugar, and set out honey for drizzling.
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