A Taste of Las Vegas, New Mexico

Food nourishes our soul

            

Mmmmm, homemade sopapillas!

Sopapillas - yummy soft fried dough pillows - are a New Mexican essential. They are served with every dinner, whether you order Green Chile Enchiladas or Spaghetti! Drizzle local honey on your sopapilla and swoon with delight.

Here's my favorite recipe for sopapillas. They are quite easy to make.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. lukewarm water
3/4 c. milk
6 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter
1 egg, beaten
3 c. flour
Approximately 2 inches cooking oil

Method:

Soften yeast in lukewarm water. Set aside. Combine milk, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in butter. Allow to cool until lukewarm. Stir in beaten egg and yeast mixture. Gradually add flour.

Work with hands if mixture becomes too thick to stir. Cover dough with a damp cloth and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down, turn out onto a lightly floured board, knead briefly until dough is smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Roll to about 1/2 inch thick square and cut with a 2 inch cookie cutter.

Heat oil to 350°F.

Cook sopapillas a few at a time, browning on one side, and turning only once. They will puff up.

Drain on absorbent paper and serve with powdered sugar or fresh local Las Vegas, New Mexico honey. Enjoy!