Bolinho de Chuva literally means Rain Cake and it is the Brazilian version for Beignets.

It is that kind of food that your grandmother would make for you well it is raining, you can't play outside and you are in the couch watching kids movies… Well, at least that is how I always remember it :-)

It is very easy to make, all ingredients you will have in your panty at any time, a 10min effort and one dirty bowl work. Perfect when you have a surprise visit.

Serve it with Tea, Coffee or my favourite way, with a beautiful glass of Port Wine.

Cheers!  


Bolinho de Chuva (Brazilian Beignets)
Yields: HEAPS – will feed 6-7 hungry little mouths easily 

Dough 
2 cups flour
1 egg
50g melted butter
3 tablespoons of sugar plus some for rolling
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
½ tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 large ripe banana cut in ½ cm slices (optional)
About 1 ½ cup Milk

Frying and Rolling 
Sugar and Cinnamon for rolling
Oil to Fry

In a large bowl mix all dough ingredients, except the banana, with a spoon until you have smooth, soft dough. It should be soft enough to spoon the mixture in the oil so if it is too hard add a bit more milk. Stir in the banana slices.

 In the bowl you will be serving, mix up some sugar and cinnamon to your taste.

Fill a medium saucepan with oil up to 5-6cm. Heat the oil to about 180C – they oil has to be hot enough to make the beignets “puff” but not so hot that it will be gold but raw inside. Try to fry one beignet first, crack it open and if it is raw, reduce the heat.

Spoon the dough directly into the oil and fry them in batches until lightly golden brown all over, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove them from the oil and transfer while still hot to the cinnamon and sugar mixture, coating it well.

Enjoy it!