Oman today_ Lokma (or Lokma), a traditional Turkish dessert, is made of fried dough balls served with sweet syrup. This dessert is also popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. Here’s how you can make Lokma at home:
Ingredients for the Dough: 2 cups of lukewarm water_ 10 grams of instant yeast_ 1 tablespoon of sugar_ A pinch of salt_ 3.5 cups of flour_ Cooking oil for frying
Ingredients for the Syrup: 2 cups of sugar_ 1.5 cups of water_ 4–5 drops of lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Syrup:
1. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and place it over medium heat until it begins to boil.
2. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add a few drops of lemon juice, let it simmer for another 3–4 minutes, and then remove it from the heat to cool.
2. Preparing the Dough:
1. In a large bowl, mix lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar. Set it aside for 5 minutes until the yeast activates.
2. Gradually add salt and flour to the mixture, stirring to form a soft and sticky dough.
3. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
3. Frying the Dough:
1. Heat enough oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
2. Using wet hands or a spoon, take small pieces of dough, shape them into balls, and drop them carefully into the hot oil.
3. Fry the dough balls until they turn golden brown, then place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
4. Adding the Syrup:
1. Dip the warm Lokma balls into the cooled syrup and let them soak for a few minutes to absorb the syrup.
2. Remove the Lokma from the syrup and arrange them on a serving plate.
Tips:
For added flavor, you can incorporate rosewater or saffron into the syrup.
Garnish the Lokma with ground pistachios, coconut flakes, or sesame seeds for a decorative and flavorful touch.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Lokma!