Crab Beignets with Lime and Ginger Chutney

I came across this recipe while doing some studying about Hors d’ Oeuvres in one of my textbooks from school, and came across this delicious looking recipe I would like to try. A Beignet (ben yay) is defined: Food dipped in a thin batter and deep-fried. When describing something on a menu, would you rather write “Crab Puffs” or “Crab Beignet”? The ladder will separate you from your average Joe caterer/restaurant. Potato Starch is a substitute or Corn Starch or Wheat flour. It could be found in your local supermarket, but it could be seen as potato flour or starch flour.

You cannot go wrong with chutney, I make a delicious Mango Chutney that I’m sure will go well with this recipe as well. Remember if you’re preparing anything that is dipped in a thin batter and fried, be sure to call it a beignet, it’s sure impress your guests. ENJOY!

Yields 36 pieces

3 oz Flour
2½ oz Potato starch
1 tsp Baking Powder
Pinch Salt
2 tsp oil
5 oz Water

1 ¾ oz Onion, chopped fine
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 ¾ oz Red bell pepper, chopped fine
1 egg
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp Heavy Cream
½ oz Chives, chopped fine
6 oz Crabmeat
6 oz breadcrumbs
8 oz Lime and ginger Chutney (recipe below)

1. Sift the flour, potato starch, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Whisk in the oil and then the water.
2. Stain through a sieve. Set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes
3. Sweat the onion in the olive oil.
4. Add the diced red pepper and sweat with the onion until soft
5. Set aside in a large bowl to cool.
6. Beat the egg with the cream and add to the cooled onion and pepper mixture. Add the chives and mix well.
7. Stir in the crab, then add the fresh bread crumbs. Mix well and season to taste
8. Make the mixture into tightly packed balls of about ½ oz each.
9. Dip in the batter and deep-fry at 400ºF until golden brown, and about 2-3 minutes. Remove and place on paper towels to drain.
10. Serve with the lime and ginger chutney on the side.

Sincerely,
Saundra D. Jones, CC
Chef/Owner
Divine Cuisine Event Planning and Catering
www.divinecuisineepc.com
info@divinecuisineepc.com

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