Gale Gand's Sugar-Dusted Vanilla Ricotta Fritters

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Gale Gand, an F&W Best New Chef 1994, is the executive pastry chef and a partner at Tru in Chicago. She's also the host of Food Network's Sweet Dreams. Her follow-up to the cookbook Gale Gand's Short + Sweet is a collection of recipes from Tru. Gand got this recipe from her mother-in-law, Vita Seidita; the fritters are also good sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or dipped in jelly.Plus: More Dessert Recipes and Tips

Sugar-Dusted Vanilla Ricotta Fritters
Photo: © John Kernick
Total Time:
30 mins
Yield:
8
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Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 pound whole milk ricotta cheese (1 cup)

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°. Set a large wire rack over a baking sheet, top with paper towels and position it near the saucepan.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the ricotta and beat until smooth. Add the flour and baking powder and beat just until blended.

  3. Using a very small ice cream scoop or 2 teaspoons, slide 8 walnut-size rounds of batter into the hot oil. Fry over moderate heat until deep golden all over and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fritters to the rack to drain. Continue frying the remaining fritters in batches of 8. Arrange the fritters on a platter and dust well with confectioners' sugar.

Make Ahead

The fritter batter can be refrigerated for up to 6 hours. Fry just before serving.

Originally appeared: September 2004

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