1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. water
1 c. plus 2 tbsp. sifted flour
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
Oil for frying
Confectioners' sugar

In medium pan, heat butter, sugar, salt and water to boiling. Remove pan from heat and add flour all at once; stir vigorously until ingredients are combined thoroughly and dough leaves sides of pan and forms a ball. Add vanilla, then eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously. Dough should be smooth and glossy.

In another pan, heat about 1 1/2 inches oil to 375°F on thermometer. Drop heaping teaspoons of dough into hot oil and fry beignets, a few at a time, until golden. (Each beignet will puff up to about 2 inches in diameter when done.) Drain on paper towels. Dust beignets heavily with confectioners' sugar.

Serve warm.

Yields: about 50 beignets.