Tasty Tuesday-Beignet Chess Squares

Beignet Chess Squares

Beignet Chess Squares

In Gypsy Knights by Two Brothers Metz, Durriken and Dalia travel across America in a Chess-like adventure that brings them to Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.  There they dine on late night beignets frosted with powder sugar and discuss their next move toward checkmate. These pastry pillows taste great with powdered sugar, but are divine when a bit of berry jam is spooned into their insides.

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 cup warm water

canola oil for frying

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.  Cut the shortening in to the dry mixture.  Add warm water and mix well. Cover the dough and let it stand for at least 30 minutes. 

Heat oil to medium high. Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into squares.  Fry the squares until they are golden brown.  Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Makes 24 small beignets.