Title: CARAMEL FRIED APPLES OR BANANAS
Categories: Chinese, Desserts
Yield: 6 servings
1/2 c All purpose flour
2 tb Cornstarch
3/4 ts Baking powder
1/2 c Water
2 Golden Delicious apples -or-
2 Bananas
Salad oil
2/3 c Granulated sugar
1/3 c Warm water
1 tb Salad oil
2 ts Sesame seeds
In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.
Add water and stir until smooth. Peel and core
apples; cut each apple into 3 wedges. (If you use
bananas, peel and cut in 1/2 inch thick diagonal
slices.) Place fruit in batter and turn to coat
evenly. Into a deep pan pour oil to a depth of about
1 1/2 inches. Heat oil to 350 degrees. Using
chopsticks or a spoon, lift one piece of fruit at a
time from batter and let excess batter drip off, then
lower fruit into hot oil. Cook several pieces at a
time until coating is golden brown (about 2 minutes).
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Generously oil a flat serving dish. Fill a serving
bowl to the brim with ice cubes; cover with water.
Place sugar, water and oil in a ten inch frying pan;
stir to blend. Place pan over high heat. When mixture
begins to bubble (about one minute), shake pan
continuously to prevent burning. Continue cooking and
shaking pan until syrup *just* turns a pale straw
color (about 9 minutes). Immediately remove from
heat, add sesame seeds, and swirl to mix. (Syrup will
continue to cook after you remove it from heat and
color will turn golden in a few seconds.) Drop fruit
into syrup and swirl to coat evenly. Using two
spoons, immediately remove each piece of fruit and
place on oiled dish so pieces do not touch. At table,
dip each piece of fruit in ice water so coating
hardens and fruit cools. Serve.
