Apple Pakoras/Fritters

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 teaspoons grated orange rind
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 cups diced cooking apple
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil
• Sifted powdered sugar

Preparation

• Combine first 4 ingredients; make a well in center of mixture.
• Combine egg, milk, and butter, stirring well; stir in orange rind and next 3 ingredients. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large Dutch oven; heat to 350°. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil; fry fritters in batches 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain fritters well on paper towels, and cool slightly. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.