Calas (Creole Rice Beignets)

Calas (Creole Rice Beignets)
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins
  • COOK TIME
    10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    1 hrs 40 mins
  • SERVING
    8 People
  • VIEWS
    6

Transform humble leftover rice into golden, spice-kissed beignets! These Creole treats, studded with plump raisins and fragrant spices, are a delightful way to start your day or add a touch of Southern charm to any occasion.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    30 g
  • Cholesterol
    47 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    5 g
  • Saturated Fat
    2 g
  • Sodium
    311 mg
  • Sugar
    13 g
  • Fat
    9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
20 mins

In a small bowl, combine the warm water and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. This indicates the yeast is active.

02

Step
1 hrs 10 mins

In a separate bowl, add the cooked rice to the yeast mixture and stir well to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow the rice to soften and meld with the yeast.

03

Step
0 mins

Lightly mash the rice mixture with a fork, leaving some grains intact for texture. Stir in the eggs, soaked and drained raisins, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices (5 minutes).

04

Step
5 mins

Gradually incorporate the flour and toasted cashews until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a slightly lumpy batter is perfectly fine. Cover the bowl and let the batter rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

05

Step
0 mins

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.

06

Step

Carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, being mindful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown on all sides, turning once or twice, about 5 minutes total. The beignets should puff up and become light and airy.

07

Step

Remove the cooked beignets with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

08

Step

While still warm, generously dust the beignets with confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately and enjoy!

For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of regular melted butter.
Soaking the raisins in warm water plumps them up, making them more juicy and delicious.
Toasting the cashews enhances their nutty flavor and adds a pleasant crunch.
Monitor the oil temperature closely to ensure the beignets cook evenly and don't burn.
Serve these beignets with a drizzle of warm maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-special treat.

Branson Heaney

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.0/ 5 ( 2 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Krystina Dubuque

    My kids devoured these! I will definitely be making them again.

  • Aiyana Kassulke

    I let the batter rise overnight in the fridge, and they were even more flavorful the next day!

  • Fanny Cremin

    I added a splash of rum to the batter and it gave them a wonderful aroma!

  • Adrienne Streich

    Next time, I'm going to try adding a pinch of cardamom for an extra touch of spice.

  • Shyanne Hickle

    The nutmeg really makes the difference! So comforting and delicious.

  • Ryleigh Wyman

    I found that using a cookie scoop helped to keep the size of the calas consistent.

  • Nayeli Beier

    Make sure your oil is at the right temperature, or they will be greasy!

  • Cory Mcclure

    These were so much better than I expected! A perfect way to use up leftover rice.

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