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.
Gruyère, parsnip and thyme beignets
Australian Gourmet Traveller French appetiser recipe for Gruyère, parsnip and thyme beignets.
- 20 mins preparation
- 1 hr 10 mins cooking plus cooling
- Serves 6
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Ingredients
- 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
Method
Main
- 1Preheat 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.
- 2Combine 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.
- 3Preheat 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.
Notes
Drink Suggestion: Dry apéritif white such as Muscadet. Drink suggestion by Max Allen