In the realm of delectable delights, Calas stand out as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana. These scrumptious rice fritters, often referred to as "Cajun hush puppies," have captivated taste buds for generations. Originating from humble beginnings, Calas were traditionally prepared by enslaved people using leftover rice, flour, and readily available ingredients. Today, these golden-brown gems continue to grace breakfast tables and brunch buffets, offering a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors. Our comprehensive article delves into the art of crafting Calas, presenting a diverse collection of recipes that cater to various dietary preferences. From classic Creole Calas, bursting with the essence of Louisiana, to gluten-free and vegan interpretations that embrace modern dietary choices, this culinary journey promises an unforgettable exploration of a beloved Southern delicacy.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CALAS (CREOLE RICE BEIGNETS)
A great use for leftover rice, these beignets feature raisins and cinnamon and are great for a Sunday brunch.
Provided by Gabrielle in DC
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine water and sugar in a small bowl. Add yeast and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add rice and stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature, about 10 minutes.
- Lightly mash the rice mixture, leaving some grains intact. Stir in eggs, raisins, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix in flour and cashews until well incorporated. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Heat enough oil in a large saucepan to cover the beignets. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil; cook until browned, turning once, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Promptly sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 218.2 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 311.1 mg, Sugar 12.7 g
CALAS FRIED RICE FRITTERS
Provided by David Guas
Categories Egg Dessert Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Vanilla Deep-Fry Party Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 3 to 3 1/2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the rice, stir once, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan, cooking 18 to 20 minutes or until the grains of rice are plump and fluff apart with a fork. Turn the rice out onto a parchment paper--lined baking sheet and cool for 15 minutes, then transfer to a plastic container (don't pack it in). Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the top. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.
- Pour enough peanut oil into a large pot to fill it to a 2 1/2- to 3-inch depth and bring to a temperature between 350°F and 360°F over medium heat. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
- While the oil heats up, place the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on high speed until foamy and tripled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Sift in half of the dry ingredients, add the salt, and mix on low speed until only a few dry streaks remain. Sift in the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed for a few turns, then add the rice and mix until the fritter batter just comes together into a loose, roughly textured ball.
- Once your oil is hot, dip a teaspoon in the hot oil, then into the batter and scoop out a heaping teaspoonful. Hold the spoon close to the oil and let the batter roll off and into the oil. Repeat with the remaining batter; using a slotted spoon, turn and baste the fritters occasionally, allowing them to become golden brown on all sides. (Fry the fritters in two batches if your pot becomes overcrowded.) If the temperature of the oil dips below 350°F, increase the heat to medium-high. Once the fritters are golden brown, transfer them to the prepared plate to cool slightly. Serve on a small plate drizzled with lots of cane syrup.
CALAS (FRIED RICE BALLS)
In days gone bye, horse-drawn carts in the streets of New Orleans sold these wonderful, aromatic rice cakes. They have never been widely available in restaurants. They make a great breakfast or snack. These sweets were very popular.
Provided by Miss Annie
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
- Thoroughly mix the rice and eggs together in a separate bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the rice and egg mixture.
- When thoroughly mixed, drop by spoonfuls into the hot deep fat (about 360 degrees F) and fry until brown.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve while hot.
- Other variations are to serve with honey.
CALAS
The cala (pronounced cah-LAH) has roots in Ghana. In 18th century New Orleans, Creole women of color who had the day off from their domestic jobs sold them out of baskets, shouting, "Calas, belles, calas tout chauds!" (Beautiful calas, very hot!) Save for a few Creole grandmothers, who made them for special events like First Communion and Mardi Gras, calas had almost faded away. Since Hurricane Katrina, they have reappeared in some New Orleans restaurants, as a dessert or in the form of savory fritters made with wild rice and smoked catfish or with duck confit.
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories appetizer
Time 20m
Yield About 12 calas (4 to 6 servings)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a fryer or a deep pot, add oil to a depth of at least three inches, and bring to 360 degrees. In a large bowl, combine rice, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
- In a small bowl, mix together eggs and vanilla. Add to rice mixture and stir with a fork until well blended. Keep mixture cool (below 70 degrees) so that it will not separate when dropped into hot oil.
- When oil is correct temperature, drop in heaping tablespoons of batter. Calas will brown on one side and turn themselves over. When browned on both sides, after about 5 minutes, remove them with a wire skimmer and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 337, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 3 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 237 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CALAS
This is another old recipe from Chuck Taggart and it has been said that women in New Orleans used to sell these on the streets to workers early every morning as they hurried off to their jobs. They are sort of like a beignet. **Other variations are to serve with honey or Steen's Cane Syrup instead of the powdered sugar**
Provided by Sherrybeth
Categories Breakfast
Time 25m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
- Thoroughly mix the rice and eggs together in a separate bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the rice and egg mixture.
- When thoroughly mixed, drop by spoonfuls into the hot deep fat (about 360 degrees F) and fry until brown.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve while hot.
CALAS
Categories Rice
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. The night before you plan to make these, dissolve yeast into 1/4 cup of warm water. Mix with the rice in a bowl. Cover and let stand in a warm place overnight. 2. The next morning, blend the eggs, rice flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the rice. Add just enough water, a little at a time, to incorporate all the dry ingredients. (You may not need any.) 3. Heat the oil to 375 degrees. With a spoon, scoop the rice mixture into ping-pong-size balls. Drop them into the hot oil. Fry for three minutes, till darkish brown. Drain on paper towels. 4. Serve hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can also serve them with syrup. Makes two dozen.
Tips:
- Make sure the rice is cooked properly. The rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. If the rice is overcooked, it will be mushy and the calas will not hold together.
- Use a good quality oil. The type of oil you use will affect the flavor of the calas. Use a neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Do not overcrowd the pot. When frying the calas, do not overcrowd the pot. This will cause the calas to stick together and not cook evenly.
- Fry the calas until they are golden brown. The calas should be fried until they are golden brown on all sides. This will ensure that they are cooked through and have a crispy exterior.
- Serve the calas hot. Calas are best served hot. They can be served with a variety of toppings, such as butter, honey, or syrup.
Conclusion:
Calas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a little practice, you will be able to make perfect calas every time.
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