Sopaipillas with Poached Apples:
- Poached Apples — 2 (recipe follows)
- Salt — 1/2 tsp
- Warm Water — 5 oz OR 10 TBSP
- All-Purpose Flour – 2 cups OR 226 grams
- Baking Powder — 1 tsp OR 4 grams
- Sugar — 2 TBSP
- Shortening — 2 TBSP
- Oil — as needed for deep frying purpose
- Icing sugar — optional
- Honey – optional
PROCEDURE:
1) Prepare poached apples first (pears can be substituted). Peel and core 2 medium sized Granny Smith apples. Slice them about half inch slices. Keep the slices in little bit of vinegar water to stop browning.
2) In a pot add 3 cups of water to 3 cups of sugar, 1tsp Cinnamon (or cinnamon stick) and add 2 TBSP Vanilla extract. Let it come to a boil. (Only use medium heat).
3) When the syrup is almost about to boil, drain the apples. Place them in a clean bowl (big enough to hold all the syrup liquid and submerge slices). Pour the hot syrup on to the apples and just set it side to cool and poach.
4) Start to make the dough. Dissolve the salt in the warm water.
5) Sift together flour, baking powder and sugar. Mix in the shortening until it becomes fine crumbs (do not use hands, it will melt the fat).
6) Add the salt/water and mix the dough until it comes together.
7) On a lightly flour surface, knead the dough for 5 mins. Then divide dough into 1inch balls and let it rest for 20mins.
8.) Roll the balls out into 1/8th inch (0.3cm) thickness. It should be about 5inch circles. Cut circles into 4 equal triangle pieces.
9) Heat up the oil. Test using a little bit of dough to check if the oil is hot enough
10) Fry little batches at a time until golden brown and puffs up.Drain on paper towels.
11) On a plate place slices of poached apples and then put Sopaipillas on top and sprinkle sugar or honey. 