FEATURE RECIPE
Gruyère, parsnip and thyme beignets

Gruyère, parsnip and thyme beignets

These bite-sized morsels are a perfect pre-dinner nibble. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make the mixture up to a day in advance, and cook the beignets just before serving.

Serves 6

Cooking Time Prep time 20 mins, cook 1 hr 10 mins (plus cooling)



90 gm   butter, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp   thyme leaves, plus extra to serve
400 gm   parsnips (about 2 large), cored and coarsely chopped
3   garlic cloves
200 ml   milk
80 gm   plain flour
2   eggs
120 gm   coarsely grated Gruyère
For deep-frying:   vegetable oil


1 Preheat oven to 200C. Melt one-third of the butter and half the thyme in a small saucepan. Scatter parsnip and garlic in a single layer on a baking-paper-lined oven tray, drizzle with butter mixture, season to taste and roast until caramelised and very tender (35-40 minutes). Process in a food processor until very smooth and set aside.
2 Combine milk, remaining butter and a pinch of salt in a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil over low heat. Whisk in flour, whisking continuously until mixture thickens and pulls away from sides of pan (1-2 minutes). Cool slightly, then add eggs one at a time, beating well to combine. Cool completely then fold in parsnip mixture, cheese and remaining thyme.
3 Preheat vegetable oil in a deep-sided saucepan or deep-fryer to 170C. Deep-fry quenelles of mixture in batches until golden and cooked through (4-5 minutes), drain on absorbent paper and serve immediately scattered with sea salt and extra thyme.


Drink Suggestion Dry apéritif white such as Muscadet.

RECIPE Emma Knowles PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Chen STYLING Emma Knowles DRINK SUGGESTION Max Allen


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