Recipes from China :: Chinese Desserts
3/4 c. cold water
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. cornstarch
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Peanut or canola (or other vegetable) oil
2 med. apples, pared and cut into eighths
2 firm med. bananas, cut diagonally into 1/2-in. slices
2 c. sugar
1 c. water
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1/4 c. white or black sesame seed
Iced water
Beat 3/4 c. water, the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt with hand beater until smooth. Heat 1 to 1 1/2 in. oil to 360 degrees fahrenheit. Stir apples into batter until coated. Remove 1 piece at a time with slotted spoon, letting excess batter drip into bowl. Fry 6 to 8 pieces at a time, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 mins.; drain. Repeat with bananas.
Thoroughly mix sugar, 1 c. water and the corn syrup in heavy 3-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling, without stirring, over high heat. Cook, without stirring, over high heat to 300 degrees fahrenheit on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into threads that are hard and brittle (mixture will be light golden brown). Decrease heat to very low; stir in sesame seed.
Generously oil large flat serving plate. Stir 1 piece of fruit at a time into syrup until in an even way coated. Immediately remove from syrup and place on oiled plate. Do not let pieces touch. At the table, dip each piece of fruit into iced water to harden coating.
Yields 6 servings.
