Loukoumathes: Honey Puffs

In Greek: λουκουμάδες, pronounced loo-koo-MAH-thes

In many areas of Greece, Loukoumathes (also loukoumades) are a New Year's Eve tradition, and they are also made to celebrate the name day of St. Barbara (December 4). The Greek Jewish community also includes these small honeyed puffs at Hanukkah.

This recipe for loukoumathes calls for milk and a hefty helping of baking powder to create these small light fried balls of dough that are drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts.

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
* 3 teaspoons of baking powder
* 4 level tablespoons of sugar
* 4 tablespoons of oil, or melted butter or margarine
* 3/4 cups of milk
* 1 egg
* oil for frying
* honey for drizzling
* finely chopped walnuts
* ground cinnamon

Preparation:

Sift the flour with the baking powder into a bowl. Add sugar, oil (or butter or margarine), milk, and the egg, and mix with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a saucepan or deep frying pan to just below the smoke point (medium to medium-high on most stoves). When the oil is hot, drop the batter by the small teaspoonful into the oil and fry until golden on all sides.

Tip: Keep a small bowl of cold water next to the workspace and dip finger before pushing batter into the oil (to keep batter from sticking).

Drain on paper toweling.

Place on serving platter and drizzle with honey. Dust with walnuts and cinnamon, and serve.

Yield: about 30 pieces (each about one inch in diameter)