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.