By DEBBIE FERNS
We live in a health-conscious age in which indulgence is a mortal sin! We worry about weight, count calories, hire personal trainers, try quick-fix diets and order ‘low fat soy cappuccino, hold the chocolate sprinkle’ at our favourite coffee shop, while firmly ignoring the lure of divine cheesecakes and double chocolate mudcakes.
But once in a while, just once, perhaps on a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary or a lazy Sunday, its okay to turn your back on routine and enjoy a dip into the decadent.
These recipes have been chosen for exactly that occasion, and because they’re easy to prepare, rich and delicious, and sure to make you feel pampered. So try them when you’re ready to let go and wallow in a world of delightful desserts, secure in the knowledge that it will take you the rest of the week to recover from the guilt!
Deep fried apple fritters
11/3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup milk
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil, plus more for frying
3 cups apple, diced small or in small matchsticks
For the glaze
½ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups icing sugar, sifted
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together, keep aside. In a large bowl combine eggs, milk and oil; stir in flour mixture and apples all at once, mixing until combined.
Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large frying pan and drop tablespoons of batter carefully into the oil, frying the fritters until puffy and golden, and cooked through. Place on paper towels to drain oil and sprinkle with icing sugar and/or dunk in glaze.
For the glaze
In a medium saucepan over low heat combine milk and vanilla; heat until warm. Whisk the confectioners’ sugar slowly into the milk and continue whisking until well combined. Remove glaze from the heat and set over a bowl of warm water. Dip doughnuts into the glaze and set on a wire rack, serve hot and crisp.
For a healthier option to deep frying, bake these by preheating the oven to 200oC. Spoon a tablespoon of batter into a pre-greased muffin pan. Bake until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add icing sugar and/or glaze and serve warm.
