Makes about 75 Oliebollen Ingredients: 50 gram Fast Rise Dry Yeast (6 pkgs) 4 Tbsp 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp 1kg All Purpose Flour 4-1/2 to 5 cups 2 Eggs 3 500 gram Currants & raisins 2-1/4 cups 1 Apple (Royal Gala), finely chopped 1 2-1/2 cups 2% milk, hot (see Preparation) 2-1/2 to 3 cups 1 Lemon rind, finely cut (optional) 1 Preparation: Make sure everything is warm. Like, put the eggs in warm tap water for 10 minutes, apple at room temperature (before peeling), wash the currants and raisins and then soak in hot water for 1 hour. Some of the raisins still have stems on them, not very appetizing while eating so remove them. Put the flour in a large bowl, add salt and yeast and mix well. Add the eggs and part of the 'hot' (not boiling) milk. I micro wave the milk until it is hot (don't boil). If you don't have (enough) yeast, or are short, add beer. Works for me ... hick ... Add the rest of the milk and mix well. Add the raisins/currants and the lemon rind (or even orange peel). Mix well. The consistency of the dough batter should be something like thick porridge. Let rise for 60 minutes on a draft free spot. I have a plastic pail which I use only for this particular recipe. The fully soaked raisins/currants, together with the apple, will provide moisture and keep the oliebollen fresh for several days. Put enough oil in a large pan (or wok) that when the you put the newly formed oliebol in the oil it will sink and then rise again. Oil temperature should be about 'medium-high'. Use your own judgment. My stove burner setting (electric) is about 6.5/7. Put a piece of bread crust in the oil to check if the oil is hot enough. Form with two spoons quickly 'balls' and put in the hot oil until golden brown. Check a couple for consistency until you get the hang of it. If you fry the oliebollen too long they become hard the next day. So only fry as long as needed. I recommend frying 1 oliebol and then eat it to check if you're happy with the frying time... ;=) Serve with powdered sugar (icing sugar). Happy New Year! |