Fried Dough Is Fairly (County) Fair

Fried Dough Is Fairly (County) Fair

Dumbo

Photo ©Vicky Moon

By Daniela Anderson Food Editor

All around the countryside this time of year it’s “County Fair” time.

And while the annual marathons of food and fun in Fauquier, Loudoun and Clarke counties have been canceled, how about creating one in the backyard? Here’s a classic.

FRIED DOUGH

INGREDIENTS:

» 3 cups all purpose flour

» 1 cup of water

» 2.5 tsp of instant or active dry yeast

» 2 tsp sugar

» 1 tbsp salt

» 3 tbsp vegetable oil

» Powdered sugar to taste for sprinkling over the fried dough

» Vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

Place 2 tsp sugar and 2.5 tsp instant or active dry yeast in one cup of warm water (about 110-120F). Stir and let sit for a few minutes until you see bubbles indicating the yeast is viable and active. While it’s activating, place the flour, salt and 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a mixing bowl and whisk together to incorporate.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with the handle of a wooden spoon until incorporated. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-8 minutes so the gluten begins to develop an elastic structure within the dough. Add just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to your hands while kneading. The dough should be very soft and pliable so when it hits the oil, the yeast can form large air pockets and puff up the fried dough.

Cover bowl and let rest in a warm place for 30-60 minutes or until dough has doubled. I like to place my dough in an oven with the pilot light on.

Heat 1.5 to 2 inches of vegetable oil in a skillet until it reaches 375F. You can check the temperature using a candy thermometer. Or add a small piece of dough to the hot oil and see if it fries correctly. The outside is crispy, the inside isl be chewy. The dough will not be greasy.

Divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll out each piece so it’s just under 1/2 inch in thickness. .

Carefully place in the hot oil. The dough will puff up on top immediately. Cook for 1-2 minutes and flip. Cook for an additional minute on the other side, remove from heat and place on plate with paper towels. Make sure the dough doesn’t become overly brown while cooking or it will be too crunchy. Adjust length of time you fry it accordingly to achieve a light golden brown color.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, syrup or any other favorite topping. Makes a dozen pieces of fried dough.

You also can use canned biscuit dough instead of making your own to make food prep even easier. Flatten each biscuit according to the recipe above and fry in the oil. Enjoy!