Apples in batter and caramel
6 servings
60 minutes
Battered and caramelized apples are an exquisite Chinese delicacy that combines a crispy texture with the gentle sweetness of fruits. This dessert originates from Chinese culinary traditions, where caramelized fruits symbolize joy and wealth. The sweetness of caramel combined with the slight bitterness of sesame creates a unique harmony of flavors. The crispy batter retains the juiciness of the apples, while cooling in ice water makes the caramel brittle and non-sticky to teeth. The dish is served hot and is delightful to enjoy in company, sharing the pleasure of its delicate texture and deep aroma. It is perfect as a finishing touch to a festive dinner or a cozy family evening.
1
Prepare the batter by mixing flour, beaten egg, and cold water (2 tablespoons), and knead well.
- Wheat flour: 180 g
- Chicken egg: 1 piece
2
Peel the apples, remove the core, slice them lengthwise, and coat in flour.
- Apple: 2 pieces
- Wheat flour: 180 g
3
Shake off the excess flour from the apples, dip them in the batter, and mix well to coat each slice.
- Wheat flour: 180 g
4
Fry the apples until golden in hot oil (around 190 degrees), dropping them in one by one and stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Once ready, remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Vegetable oil: 400 ml
5
In a suitable pan, heat a couple of tablespoons of sesame oil over medium heat. If the sesame oil is dark (from roasted seeds), it's better to take one tablespoon of sesame and any other odorless vegetable oil.
- Sesame oil: 35 ml
6
Heat the oil, add sugar and stir constantly until it reaches caramel state. Once the sugar (caramel) turns golden, reduce the heat to minimum. Add sesame seeds and battered fried apples, mixing well to coat each slice with caramel.
- Sugar: 175 g
- Sesame seeds: 20 g
- Apple: 2 pieces
7
Place on a plate lightly greased with oil. Before consumption, dip each apple slice in ice water — this will slightly cool the caramel, make it more brittle, and it won't stick to the teeth.
- Vegetable oil: 400 ml
