Chinese Honeyed Apples
These scrumptious treats are best prepared for a select number as they require the cook's complete attention. The honey coating crispens when the fritters are dipped in iced water.
Ingredients
- 4 crisp eating apples
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 25g / 1oz / ¼ cup cornflour sunflower oil, for deep frying toasted sesame seeds, for sprinkling
For the fritter batter:
- 115g / 4oz / 1 cup plain flour generous pinch of salt
- 120-150m1 / 4-5fl oz / ½-⅔ cup water
- 30ml / 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 egg whites
For the sauce:
- 250ml / 8fl oz / 1 cup clear honey
- 120ml / 4fl oz / ½ cup sunflower oil
- 5ml / 1 tsp white wine vinegar
Preparation
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- Peel, core and cut the apples into eighths, brush each piece lightly with lemon juice then dust with cornflour. Make the sauce. Heat the honey and oil in a pan, stirring until blended. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar.
- Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, then stir in the water and oil. Whisk the egg whites until stiff; fold into the batter.
- Spear each piece of apple in turn on a skewer, dip in the batter and fry in hot oil until golden. Drain on kitchen paper, place in a dish and pour the sauce over.
- Transfer the fritters to a lightly oiled serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve at once, offering bowls of iced water for dipping.
Serves 4-5.