Never say no to yummy loukoumades

Whenever going for work, shopping or whaterver in Heraklio, temptation is so big to sit on a terrace, order a cold espresso coffee and enjoy these yummy loukoumades. Some old “??????????????” bakery are specialized in these.  Morrosini venetian fontain square and surroundings are  maybe the most convenient places for this delikatessen but i really enjoy the tradition of these old places where time stood still. Old brown wood furnitures, so plain, to sit while old man is talking about politics, football, economy, with neighbours bring me a lift to the quiet cretan way of life.

One of these is , so called Loukoumades, is located in the  local merchant street of leoforos Kalokairinou.  That’s one i really enjoy: cheap price for constant quality and a free jump back into time.

So i couldn’t resit to give you the recipe:

Ingredients

• • 1 cup of lukewarm water (240g /8.5 oz.)

• • 1 cup of lukewarm milk (240g/ 8.5 oz.)

• • 15 g active dry yeast (0.5 oz.)

• • 3 and 1/4 of a cup flour (450g /16 oz.)

• • 2 tbsps sugar

• • 1 flat tsp salt

• • 4 tbsps olive oil

• oil for frying

For the garnish

• • 3/4 cup honey (350g/ 13 oz.)

• • cinnamon powder

• chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. In the mixer bowl add the water and yeast. Stir with a fork and wait for 5 minutes, until the yeast dissolves completely. Into the same bowl, add the rest of the ingredients for the dough and whisk at high speed (for about 2 minutes) until the mixture becomes a smooth batter. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place for at least 1 hour to rise.
2. Into a medium sized frying pan pour  vegetable oil to deep fry the loukoumades. Heat the oil to high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping in some of the dough for the loukoumades. If it sizzles the oil is ready.
3. Dip a tablespoon in some water and spoon out some of the dough into the hot oil. Repeat this procedure until the surface off the pan is  filled. Dip the spoon in the water every time, so that the batter doesn’t stick on it.
4. While the loukoumades are fried, use a slotted spoon to push them into the oil and turn them on all sides, until golden brown. Place the loukoumades on some kitchen paper to drain.
5. When done, place the loukoumades on a large platter, drizzle with the heated honey (you can mix with some orange juice) and sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped walnuts.