strufoli i

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 4 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 16 ounces honey
• 1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• 4 tablespoons chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
• 1 (1.75 ounce) package multicolored sprinkles (jimmies)
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Recipe

• place eggs in bowl and beat until they have tripled in volume. add flour gradually until well blended (do not use all the flour). the dough should remain slightly sticky.
• transfer to floured board. cut off a piece at a time. using a little flour, if needed, roll between your hands to form pencil shapes.
• cut into 1/4 inch pieces. place each on floured cloth. in a large pan on top of the stove, heat oil to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). deep-fry pieces about 1/2 cup at a time, turning constantly until golden. drain and set aside. (note: after several batches, dough begins to turn brown quickly. this means it is time to change the oil)
• in large pan, bring honey to boil with vanilla bean. discard bean. place deep-fried pieces into hot honey and toss until all are coated. cool and stir in chocolate, nuts, and multi-colored jimmies. place on plate, shaping firmly into tall cone. sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.