Beignets Souffle Recipe

1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons butter at room temperature
Pinch salt
1/2 cup flour
2 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon orange oil or 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)

Combine the water, butter and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and forms a ball around the spoon. (If a ball does not form almost immediately, hold the saucepan over low heat and beat briskly a few seconds. Cool slightly.)

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat vigorously until the mixture is smooth and glossy after both additions. Add the optional flavoring and beat again.

Add oil to a wok, heavy skillet or deep fryer to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches. Heat to 365 degrees. Drop dough by tablespoons into hot fat. Fry until browned on all sides and center is cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Fry and test one first to determine approximate cooking time. Drain on paper towels.

Serve hot with confectioners' sugar. Makes about 20 golf ball-size beignets souffle.