Red Greek Honey dumplings (aka Loukoumades)

Red dumplings sprinkled with a lot of thyme honey, toasted sesame seed and cinnamon. The traditional Greek “loukoumades” turn into red to please your Valentines palate. Save the recipe. Its ideal if you are having a kids party or for a Christmas/Easter dessert. Combine with a scoop of your favorite ice-cream.

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Hands on: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 15 dumplings (or 20-25 small ones)

Ingredients

For the dough

280 g (9,85 fl.oz.) water (lukewarm)

20 g (0,7 oz.) active dry yeast

1-tablespoon honey (preferably thyme)

1 teaspoon food coloring (red or pink)

250 g (8,8 oz.) all-purpose flour

50 g (1,76 oz) cornstarch

pinch of salt

For the frying

sunflower oil

To serve

honey

toasted sesame seeds

ground cinnamon

walnuts

icing sugar

Pair with

A scoop of ice cream

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How to do it

1. Take a big bowl. Add the lukewarm water, the dry yeast, the honey and food coloring. Whisk until completely combined.

2. Then add the flour, the cornstarch and the pinch of salt. Mix until the batter is thick but smooth.

3. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.

4. Allow the mixture to rise (preferably in a warm place) for 60 minutes.

5. Place a deep fryer or saucepan with sunflower oil over heat (at least 180oC or 356oF if thermometer available).

6. Place a tablespoon in a cup full of sunflower oil and line some paper towel on a plate to soak up the extra oil from the fried dumplings.

7. Place your hand in the bowl of the mixture, grab hold some of the mixture in your palm, and close your hand (make a fist). The dough will start to be squeezed out from between your thumb and index finger. Holding the tablespoon in your other hand, scoop up the dough (cut the dough) that has emerged and drop it into the hot oil. Do not forget to dip your spoon into the sunflower oil cup after each scoop, so that the dough will not stick yo it and fall easily into the saucepan to fry.

8. Use a slotted spoon to turn the dumplings over so they can cook on both sides. Fry them for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden. Make sure not to crowd the pan.

9. When ready transfer them to the plate lined with paper towels.

10. Serve with honey, toasted sesame seeds, cinnamon, walnuts, or icing sugar. Whatever you like.

#dumplings #greekdessert