Bird's Nest Cookies Recipe
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These cute little nests are crunchy and delicious fried pastries.
Servings: 24 Easter Egg Nests
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain all purpose flour ( plus 1 or 2 tablespoons extra)
- 1 tablespoon castor sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 tablespoons brandy (or white wine)
- flavourless oil for frying
- powdered sugar and colored chocolate eggs for decorating
Instructions
- In a bowl mix flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the centre and drop in beaten egg and brandy.
- Gradually incorporate flour into the egg and brandy until it is all mixed. You may need to add a little more flour.
- Knead well for 3-5 minutes.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap so the dough doesn't dry out and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into portions.
- On a floured surface, roll the dough out a little then fold in half and roll again. Rolling and folding about 5 times (just like pasta).
- Roll the dough out long and thin, approx 40cm(15in) x 12cm (5in). Stretch a little with your hands.
- Cut lengthwise into 12 strips. Take two long strips and wind loosely around into a circle tucking the ends into the middle to secure lightly. Repeat with remaining strips.
- Heat oil to 375°F/190°C (check notes regarding frying). Test with a little piece of dough - it should bubble and expand.
- Fry nests only a couple at a time, using forks keep the wayward strands in place.
- If you are shallow frying, turn over before they brown to much.
- When lightly golden. Remove and drain on absorbent paper.
- Allow to cool.
- Repeat with remaining dough.
- Dust with icing sugar and decorate with coloured chocolate eggs.
Notes
- If you have a pasta machine go ahead and roll out the dough with that - it will be so much faster. It's good to have help so that one of you roll out the dough and the other will fry the nests. Otherwise just prepare ¼ of the dough, heat the oil, fry the nests then turn the oil off while you prepare the next ¼ of the dough and continue.
- Cooking in lots of hot oil can be daunting. I don't own a deep fryer and I like to shallow fry these nests in oil about 2.5cm/1in deep in a large frying pan. But if you have a deep frying, by all means use that.
- Remember to choose a light flavoured oil - I like grapeseed or rice bran oil
- Nutritional information does NOT take into account the oil for frying nor the decorations you choose.
Nutrition
Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.3mg