Acacia Flower Fritters

Acacia Flower Fritters : instructions

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  Start by picking the acacia flowers on the very day you plan to make your fritters.
  Cut each cluster with scissors, leaving as much of the stem as possible above the cluster. You’ll use this stem to hold the cluster while preparing it—and while enjoying it!
  
• Making the doughnut batter
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    In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
    Add the eggs and mix well with a whisk.
    
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    Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
    Cover with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest for one hour.
    
• Preparing the flowers
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    Separate the leaves from the flower clusters if necessary, leaving as much of the stem holding the cluster as possible. Gently
    wash the flowers; personally, I use a salad spinner, which makes it very easy to drain the flowers afterward.
    
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    Spread the flowers out on a dish towel and let them drain thoroughly, turning them over occasionally.
    This will help the batter stick to the flowers.
    
• Deep-frying
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    Pour the frying oil into the pot (if you don't have a deep fryer).
    Heat the oil until it reaches 170°C. I use a cooking thermometer to make sure it reaches the right temperature.
    
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    Give the batter a quick stir to make sure it’s smooth again.
    Place several sheets of paper towels in a bowl and set it next to the baking sheet.
    
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    Dip each cluster of acacia flowers into the batter so that it’s well coated.
    Place it in the hot oil—you’ll see the flowers puff up instantly!
    After a few seconds, the batter will start to brown; flip it over using a slotted spoon.
    Wait a few more seconds, then remove the fritter from the oil, drain it, and place it on paper towels.
    
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    The "cooking" sequence on video...
    
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    Repeat this process for each bunch; you can fry several at a time, of course.
    Be sure to keep the temperature steady, as the oil will tend to cool down with all that frying, and your fritters will come out soggy and unappetizing if that happens!
    Here, too, a cooking thermometer comes in handy!
    
  • 11
    Enjoy these delicious acacia flower fritters while they’re still warm and crispy!
    You can dust them with powdered sugar to make them even more indulgent 😋
  • 12
    If you have any batter left over after cooking all the flower clusters, you can use it to make a delicious pancake by adding a little oil to a skillet and cooking it over low heat for about 5 minutes on each side.
• Epilogue: What to Do with Your Frying Oil?
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    Personally, I use a very handy stainless steel container to strain the frying oil, and then I store it in the fridge. That way,
    I can use it for several more frying sessions!