BocelliOnline

[christine]

Italian Fried Dough
Started at Sat Nov 30 23:51:12 2002
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Compliments of Autumn!

2 cups flour, (I mix organic white, with wheat flour), 1 tsp. sea salt, pinch of sugar (I don't use any), 1/4 cup low-fat milk plus 3/4 cup water, 1 pkg. rapid rise yeast, 1tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Mix all dry ingredients in a heavy duty 4 qt. pan. Warm up the water and milk in micro until hot to the touch and then add oil/butter to it. (Do not overheat or it will kill the yeast). Set a timer for about 5 mins, add liquid to dry ingredients which have been stirred, and begin working together (using a little extra white flour as needed until earlobe texture). Spread out on the bottom of same 4 qt. pan, cover with foil. To help rise I stick it in my gas oven for about 1 hr. If electric oven, warm quickly, then shut off and put in. Punch down, roll out to large rectangle on floured board, adding as much flour to not stick. Do not make stiff, should be pliable. Cut into small strips or triangles and using cleaned 4qt. pan to which about 4 inches of oil has been heated, drop in and just gently brown. Sometimes I don't even let rise at all, and I even use my teflon waffle iron, lightly buttered for calorie saver. Or, just take the rectangle, lightly dust with grated mozzarella, roll long side up as for cinammon roll, cut every 2" or so, place on greased sheet, cover with foil, same rise method, for 40 mins. or till they puff. Make knife cut on each top, brush with beaten egg and Bake 425 for 15 mins or nice and golden. Great cheesy rolls, or can also add cooked ground meat, a little sauce, don't cut rectangle at all, just brush with egg after rising and bake, about 25 mins. An excellent pizza dough and herbs can be added right in crust as well.