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Flores manchegas
Flores manchegas: crisp flower-shaped fritters dusted with sugar
Every household in La Mancha seems to own a flower-shaped iron, a long-handled mould that is dipped in hot oil, then in batter, then back in the oil, where a lacy flower slides off as it sets. Grandmothers make towers of them for Holy Week and Carnival, and they are sold in bags at village fiestas from Cuenca to Tomelloso. You can buy the iron, sometimes called a rosette iron, in kitchen shops. Chef's tip: the iron must be very hot each time it goes into the batter, or the batter won't cling.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the batter
To fry and finish
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Whisk 2 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1 tbsp caster sugar, 1 pinch salt and 1 tsp orange zest, then whisk in 7 oz plain flour gradually until smooth. It should be like double cream, thick enough to coat the iron but still run off. Rest for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Heat 4 ¼ cups sunflower oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Put the flower iron in the oil to heat for 2 minutes.
5 minStep 3: Lift the iron out, shake off the oil and dip it into the batter so it comes almost to the top edge, but not over it. A common mistake is covering the top of the iron: the flower then can't slip off.
Step 4: Lower the coated iron straight into the oil. After 10–20 seconds the flower sets and loosens; ease it off with a fork and fry for about 1 minute, turning once, until pale golden and crisp.
35 minStep 5: Drain on kitchen paper, and return the iron to the oil between flowers so it stays hot. You should get about 30 flowers.
Step 6: While still warm, dust generously with 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar, mixed with cinnamon if you like. Keep in a tin for up to 3 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does flores manchegas take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
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