Desserts > Spanish

Classic Pestiños with Honey Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground aniseed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water

Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Deep-fry thermometer

Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, olive oil, white wine, orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, aniseed, and salt. Mix well until a dough forms.
2. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll each part into a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick.
4. Cut the sheets into diamond shapes, about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
6. Fry the diamond-shaped dough pieces in batches until they turn golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
7. Remove the fried dough pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
8. In a small saucepan, heat the honey and water over low heat until the honey becomes thin and runny.
9. Brush the warm honey mixture over the fried dough pieces, making sure each piece is coated evenly.
10. Serve the pestiños warm or at room temperature.


- Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
5. Temperature:
- Frying oil temperature: 350°F
Serving size:
- Makes about 40 pestiños

Nutritional information:
- Calories per serving: 120
- Total fat: 4g
- Saturated fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 1g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use vegetable oil instead of olive oil.
- You can use red wine instead of white wine.
- You can use lemon juice instead of orange juice.
- You can use molasses instead of honey.

Variations:
- You can add chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, to the dough.
- You can sprinkle powdered sugar or ground cinnamon on top of the honey-coated pestiños.
- You can add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dough for a spicier flavor.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the dough is rolled thin enough to ensure a crispy texture.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the oil temperature and prevent the pestiños from burning.
- Brush the honey mixture on the pestiños while they are still warm to ensure the honey is absorbed evenly.

Storage instructions:
- Store the pestiños in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat the pestiños, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until they are warm and crispy.

Presentation ideas:
- Arrange the pestiños on a platter and drizzle extra honey on top for a more decadent presentation.

Garnishes:
- You can garnish the pestiños with chopped nuts or fresh fruit, such as sliced oranges or figs.

Pairings:
- Pestiños with honey pair well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Suggested side dishes:
- Serve the pestiños as a dessert after a meal of traditional Spanish dishes, such as paella or gazpacho.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the dough is too dry, add a little more wine or orange juice.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to prevent the pestiños from absorbing too much oil.

Food history:
- Pestiños are a traditional Spanish dessert that originated in Andalusia. They are typically served during the Christmas season.

Flavor profiles:
- Pestiños are sweet and fragrant, with hints of cinnamon and aniseed. The honey adds a rich and sticky sweetness.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the pestiños on a bed of fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.

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Region: Spanish

Taste: Sweet, Nutty, Buttery, Honeyed