Desayuno

These came to me in a dream. Well, not quite. I was lying in bed, and my mind was drifting around like it usually does right before I fall asleep, and all of a sudden I was thinking of the loukamades a friend of mine made a few weeks ago. And then I was thinking of goat cheese. And here we are! That doesn’t explain my attempt at a French name, but I didn’t know “spinach” in Greek.
Dough

• 2 cups (225g) flour
• 1 tbsp (15g) yeast
• 1tsp (5g) salt
• 3/4 cups (175ml) warm water
• 2tbsp (30ml) olive oil

Filling

• 5 oz (150g) goat cheese
• 5 oz (150g) spinach, cooked and drained
• 5 large basil leaves
• 1/4 cup (75g) red onion, diced small
• 1/2 clove of garlic, diced small

Equipment

• Oil for frying

This dough takes very little ceremony. Just put all the ingredients in a bowl, mix, and then knead for ten minutes. It should be slightly sticky to the touch. Let rise for an hour.

While the dough is rising, squeeze excess moisture from the spinach and mix in the cheese, onion, garlic, and basil. Mix together until smooth. Fill a dutch oven or deep pan 3/4 full with oil. (It should be at least two inches (5cm) deep) and place over medium low heat.

Carefully turn out the dough onto a floured surface and divide into 30 pieces. Gently press out the pieces into 1 inch disks. Place 1/2 teaspoon (3g) of filling in the middle of the disk, and pinch the dough closed over it. Gently roll into a ball and set aside.

When the oil reaches 375 degrees (190C), fry the beignets until golden brown (about 3 minutes) and remove to a rack. Enjoy!

Posted by Tom