Honey Doughnuts – Loukoumades

“I’m still writing 1997 on my checks” – Sarah Silverman. That’s kinda how I feel. But it’s definitely 2014 because I have just eaten plate full of homemade loukoumades. Loukoumades are a New Year tradition in Cyprus. My aunt told me that every 6 January when my grandma made loukoumades in the village, she would always cut the first loukoumada in half and throw it to the ceiling for the unbaptised spirits to eat and leave. (Err…that’s a true story. I hope I haven’t unsettled you … that’s not part of the recipe.)

I can imagine my grandma doing this in her kitchen, which must not have been very “kitchen” like but more like a cold room with a space heater and a stove. My loukoumades making experience is not as interesting. But, traditionally, we still make these around New Years.  I can’t say that I stick to any more New Year’s traditions, save for making a vasilopita.  The only thing on my “2014” list to do was to breed my dog, but there has been so much bad news coming out of Cyprus on the animal cruelty front, that I am now reluctant to bring new puppies into that reality. So Ernie – my chubby pug – will have a trip to the vet’s office in 2014 instead. On the cooking front though, I definitely have some things-I-want-to-try-in-2014.

Here is my top ten list:

10. Make my own orange blossom water. When I was 5 I put flowers in a bottle of water to make perfume. The result: bad perfume, good orange blossom water.

9. Pick artichokes and make something with them the same day. I went with my aunt and cut tons of beautiful artichokes last year and never took any home to cook with them for some reason. Doh. But this year I will.

8. Learn more about olive oil. It’s my last article in the “olive oil” series and I want it to be really good.

7. Create a really delicious ice-cream flavour. Because making ice cream is way more fun than I ever thought.

6. Buy a food processor. I realllllllly want a food processor. Is it too late to ask Santa?

5. Eat more fish. Because fish is good for you. And Cyprus has good fish. So, it just makes sense.

4. Make my own Cypriot sausages – loukaniko. That’s totally normal, right.

3. Go mushroom-picking. Do not pick poisonous mushrooms.

2. Make halloumi from scratch. I might try to milk the goat. Might.

1.  Plant and grow some of my own vegetables. I love homegrown vegetables. And it’s silly that the seeds I bought are not-growing in my cupboard.

Just a few more things about this loukoumades recipe. Traditionally, Cypriot loukoumades are made with mashed potato – to get that starchy flavour – and are dipped in a sugary syrup flavoured with orange blossom flavour. These loukoumades are not traditional – I am still trying to master the art of the traditional Cypriot loukoumades – one that tastes like what you buy at the fairs. But as far as homemade loukoumades go, these are excellent. It’s the honey syrup that really makes them stand out if you ask me. Also, I used the recipe below, but stored it in the fridge for one day. I am not sure if this helped the dough rise a bit more than normal, but the texture was just perfect: hard on the outside and soft – but not gooey – on the inside. Another important tip – make sure your oil is hot, but not boiling! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this recipe. I will be publishing another one – more true to the traditional style – once I find one I am happy with! Enjoy! xx