Beignets
It’s all about the beignets!!!! Get yours at Cafe Du Monde which is open 24/7! They are located in the French Quarter at 800 Decatur Street. Cafe Du Monde started out as a coffee stand in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market serving just four items: coffee, beignets, orange juice and chocolate milk. At the coffee stand, customers could order coffee one of two ways, black or au lait. Today, Cafe Du Monde is known for their world-renowned beignets covered in powered sugar.
Cafe Du Monde Beignet mix
I was surprised that the beignets don’t taste greasy at all. Warning, your face and clothing will be covered in powdered sugar. There are two separate lines at Cafe DuMonde, one for to-go orders and the other to sit down and enjoy your hot, fresh beignets. The line is very long at all times but moves along surprisingly fast. The line closest to the street is the dine-in line and the line along the backside of the restaurant is the to-go line. We thought that we were in the to-go line and discovered that we were actually in the dine-in line. So, we took a seat and ordered our beignets! I am glad we were able to take in the full dining experience of watching everyone cover themselves in powdered sugar.
Beignets~ the word “beignet” also know as “boules de Berlinis” or “fritelli”, is a French term which translates to fritter. Usually made from dough (choux or yeast), deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar, beignets are most commonly consumed as a breakfast food. Beignets must be eaten fresh and hot. In New Orleans, beignets have become a big part of the creole cuisine. Beignets are often made with fruit or jam fillings. At Cafe Du Monde, beignets are served in an order of 3. In 1986, beignets were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana. Pick up a box of Cafe Du Monde beignet mix at any souvenir shop in New Orleans.
Make your own beignets!!!!
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups bread flour
1/4 cup shortening
Nonstick spray
Oil, for deep-frying
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together. Mix egg mixture to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, measure out the bread flour. Add 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour. Remove dough from the bowl, place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Put dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
Add the confectioners’ sugar to a paper or plastic bag and set aside.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares. Deep-fry, flipping constantly, until they become a golden color. After beignets are fried, drain them for a few seconds on paper towels, and then toss them into the bag of confectioners’ sugar. Hold bag closed and shake to coat evenly.
~ Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Chicory~ What exactly is chicory? Chicory has a chocolate flavor to the coffee, but actually is made from roasting and grinding the root of the endive plant (lettuce). Chicory not only adds a greatly chocolate flavor, it also reduces the bitterness of dark roast coffee. Chicory was discovered by the French during their civil war. Since coffee was not abundantly available during that time, the French creatively added chicory to supplement their coffee. The Acadians are credited for bringing chicory to Louisiana in the 1700’s.
Line at Cafe Du Monde
5 Wheels to 5 Star 