Loukoumades
Loukoumades are served across Greece and Cyprus, with a wide range of garnishes. I’ve suggested honey and cinnamon because they’re a simple, delicious, and authentic combination. But you could add a sprinkling of chopped pistachios or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar or even substitute the syrup used in making Baklava (page 628) for the honey.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 24 to 30
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the yeast, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the flour, and salt in a food processor and pulse once or twice. Turn the machine on and add the liquid, a little at a time, through the feed tube, until the mixture forms a ball and is slightly sticky to the touch. If dry, add another tablespoon or two of water and process for another 10 seconds. (In the unlikely event that the mixture is too sticky, add flour, a tablespoon at a time.)
Step 2
Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the dough in a lightly oiled or buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let rise until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours.
Step 3
Put at least 2 inches (more is better) of oil in a large deep saucepan; the narrower the saucepan, the less oil you’ll need, but the more oil you use, the more fritters you can cook at the same time. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to about 350°F (a pinch of the batter will sizzle immediately).
Step 4
Punch the dough down in the bowl, then moisten or flour your hands and shape tablespoon-sized pieces of the batter into little balls. Keep a piece of plastic wrap draped over the shaped fritters. Fry in batches, without crowding, until nicely browned, turning as necessary; total cooking time will be less than 7 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot or at room temperature, drizzled with the honey and sprinkled with a mixture of the cinnamon and the remaining tablespoon of sugar.
