Heritage in Cooking

My husband's mother came to the United States from the Netherlands as a teenager, and he is very proud of his Dutch heritage. He has lots of awesome recipes from relatives in Holland, and this is one of them.

Olie Bollen

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water (110-115 degrees F)
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups chopped apple
1 cup raisins
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
white sugar for decorating

Warm oven on lowest possible temperature setting. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water in a small mixing bowl. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Add the eggs, yeast mixture and milk; beat with an electric mixer until blended. Turn off the oven. Cover the dough with a greased piece of plastic wrap and place the bowl of dough on the lowest rack of the warmed oven. Allow to rest and rise for 1 hour. Heat the oil for frying to 350 degrees F in a heavy bottomed, deep skillet. Mix the apples and raisins into the dough. Carefully slide the dough by heaping teaspoons into the oil. Do not crowd the pan. Fry the fritters until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. They should turn over on their own when they are ready to brown on the other side, but keep an eye on them and flip them as necessary. Remove them to a paper towel lined plate and repeat with the remaining dough. Dust with sugar while warm. Makes 12 servings.

Do you have a favorite heritage recipe? Share it with us!  - Riley