Avocado-studded Mardi Gras Fritters with Creole Mustard-Apricot Sauce

Ingredients

 * 10½ oz all-purpose flour
 * 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon baking powder
 * 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon sugar
 * 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon salt
 * 4 eggs, separated
 * 1 cup milk
 * ½ tbsp lemon zest
 * ½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme
 * 6 cloves garlic, chopped finely
 * ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
 * 4 California avocados, ¼-inch dice
 * Creole mustard-apricot sauce (recipe follows)

Creole mustard-apricot sauce

 * 1¾ cups apricot jam
 * 1 cup Creole mustard
 * ¼ cup water

Directions

 * 1) Mix dry ingredients; reserve.
 * 2) Beat egg yolks until light; whisk in milk and next 4 ingredients.
 * 3) Stir in dry ingredients until just mixed; if batter is too thick, thin with additional milk.
 * 4) Let batter rest in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight.
 * 5) Gently fold in avocado; reserve.
 * 6) Whip egg whites until stiff; fold into avocado mixture.
 * 7) Per order: drop 6 generous spoonfuls of batter, one at a time, into 375°F oil; cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
 * 8) Serve with ¼ cup Creole mustard-apricot sauce on the side.

Creole mustard-apricot sauce

 * 1) Mix apricot jam, creole mustard, and water until well blended; reserve.