Chiacchiere (carnival) - Delicious little lies
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Chiacchiere, also known as little lies, are a traditional Italian dessert, perfect for celebrating carnival or adding a touch of joy to any day. These tender, slightly crispy pastries dusted with powdered sugar are ideal to enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or a fragrant tea. Follow this simple recipe and you'll achieve a perfect result that will impress everyone.
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 50 ml plum brandy (or rum)
- 50 ml dry white wine
- 100 g sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 500 g flour (may vary depending on humidity)
- 50 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for decoration
Instructions:
1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, crack the 3 eggs and add the plum brandy, white wine, sugar, and salt. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients well until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is homogeneous.
2. Adding the flour: Sift the flour into another bowl to avoid lumps. Once sifted, gradually add the egg mixture, stirring constantly with a spatula or your hands to incorporate the flour.
3. Including the butter and flavors: Add the soft butter and grated lemon zest. Knead the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour. Be careful not to overdo it, as a dough that is too dry will result in hard little lies.
4. Resting the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This step will help the gluten relax, making it easier to roll out the dough.
5. Rolling and cutting: After the dough has rested, sprinkle a little flour on a work surface and roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin sheet (about 2-3 mm thick). Using a knife or a pastry cutter, cut out rectangular or diamond shapes. If desired, you can make a small cut in the middle of each shape for a traditional look.
6. Frying: In a deep pan, heat the oil to about 180°C. Use a thermometer to check the temperature so that the little lies fry evenly. Fry 2-3 little lies at a time until they become golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Decoration: Once completely cooled, dust the little lies with powdered sugar. This detail not only gives them a beautiful presentation but also a pleasant sweetness.
Practical tips:
- You can experiment with flavors by adding vanilla or cinnamon to the dough.
- If you want a healthier version, you can replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour, but be aware that the texture may change slightly.
- Serve them with chocolate sauce or fruit jam for a delicious contrast.
Chiacchiere are a versatile dessert, perfect for enjoying at any time of the year. Enjoy them with family and friends or give them as a delicious gift to loved ones. These little lies will surely become a favorite in your kitchen!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Chiacchiere, also known as little lies, are a traditional Italian dessert, perfect for celebrating carnival or adding a touch of joy to any day. These tender, slightly crispy pastries dusted with powdered sugar are ideal to enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or a fragrant tea. Follow this simple recipe and you'll achieve a perfect result that will impress everyone.
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 50 ml plum brandy (or rum)
- 50 ml dry white wine
- 100 g sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 500 g flour (may vary depending on humidity)
- 50 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for decoration
Instructions:
1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, crack the 3 eggs and add the plum brandy, white wine, sugar, and salt. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients well until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is homogeneous.
2. Adding the flour: Sift the flour into another bowl to avoid lumps. Once sifted, gradually add the egg mixture, stirring constantly with a spatula or your hands to incorporate the flour.
3. Including the butter and flavors: Add the soft butter and grated lemon zest. Knead the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour. Be careful not to overdo it, as a dough that is too dry will result in hard little lies.
4. Resting the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This step will help the gluten relax, making it easier to roll out the dough.
5. Rolling and cutting: After the dough has rested, sprinkle a little flour on a work surface and roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin sheet (about 2-3 mm thick). Using a knife or a pastry cutter, cut out rectangular or diamond shapes. If desired, you can make a small cut in the middle of each shape for a traditional look.
6. Frying: In a deep pan, heat the oil to about 180°C. Use a thermometer to check the temperature so that the little lies fry evenly. Fry 2-3 little lies at a time until they become golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Decoration: Once completely cooled, dust the little lies with powdered sugar. This detail not only gives them a beautiful presentation but also a pleasant sweetness.
Practical tips:
- You can experiment with flavors by adding vanilla or cinnamon to the dough.
- If you want a healthier version, you can replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour, but be aware that the texture may change slightly.
- Serve them with chocolate sauce or fruit jam for a delicious contrast.
Chiacchiere are a versatile dessert, perfect for enjoying at any time of the year. Enjoy them with family and friends or give them as a delicious gift to loved ones. These little lies will surely become a favorite in your kitchen!