Loukoumades (Greek Honey Dumplings)

Ingredients

• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 2 packages dry yeast
• 4 cups flour (or enough until a thick, pancake-like batter consistency is reached)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• oil (for frying)

Garnish

• 1 cup honey (Greek thyme honey is best, and authentic)
• 1/4 cup water
• cinnamon
• finely chopped walnuts (optional)
• sesame seed, toasted (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water.

2. 2

   Put it along with the remaining dough ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix well until a smooth batter is obtained.

3. 3

   Cover and let the batter rise in a warm place until it is approximately three times its previous bulk, (1-2 hours).

4. 4

   Heat the oil for frying in a saucepan on the stove until very hot.

5. 5

   Dip a teaspoon into oil to coat and spoon out some dough into the hot oil.

6. 6

   Repeat until there are enough fritters to comfortably fill the surface area of the saucepan, without overcrowding.

7. 7

   Dip the spoon in oil, every time the dough starts to stick on it.

8. 8

   Fry loukoumades in very hot oil until golden brown, pushing them into the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a serving dish lined with kitchen paper for them to drain.

9. 9

   Keep making more fritters in this way.

10. 10

    When done, put them on a large platter and pour hot honey syrup over them and lightly dust with cinnamon.

11. 11

    Sprinkle them with chopped walnuts and sesame seeds.

12. 12

    Serve immediately.

13. 13

    To make honey syrup.

14. 14

    Heat honey and water in a small saucepan and skim off any froth that may form on top.

15. 15

    Boil for 5 minutes together and pour over fritters.