Ms. Gifford's Culinary Class

Culinary 1 Class Delves into Elephant Ears

This week, students in Culinary 1 took on the challenge of making Elephant Ears, a beloved fried treat. Many students bravely faced their fears of working with hot oil, while others enthusiastically experimented with the amount of sugar they could incorporate into their fried bread. The hands-on experience not only honed their cooking skills but also encouraged creativity and confidence in the kitchen.

 

 

Elephant Ears Recipe

Ingredients:

2 Cups flour

1½ Tbsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. dry milk

1 tsp. salt

1½ tsp. shortening

½ Cup warm water

 

Oil for Frying

Toppings

Cinnamon/sugar mixture, Powdered sugar, Honey, Jelly, Syrup, etc….
 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Pour oil into a skillet on the stove top, Electric Skillet or Deep Fryer until about 2 inches deep
2. Preheat oil to medium-high.  The oil will start to look like it is moving.
3. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or two knives until you have small pieces of shortening.  You should almost not be able to see them.
5. Add water. Mix gently with a spoon then knead with your clean hands until the dough is soft and not crumbly, adding flour if dough is sticky as needed.
6. When oil is preheated...Take a small golf ball sized piece of dough, pat back and forth, and pull until flat and round. 
7. Using tongs, gently lower the dough into the hot oil.
8. Cook in hot oil until golden brown on one side and gently turn over.

Continue cooking until golden brown on both sides.
The thinner the dough; the faster it will cook