Traditional Kaimatis (Greek Doughnuts)
Ingredients:
- 500g (3 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 100g (1/2 cup) sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 150ml (5oz) milk, warm
- 50g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Honey or syrup, for dipping (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and melted butter.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 16-20 equal pieces.
7. Roll out each piece into a long rope about 25cm (10in) long.
8. Knot the ropes into pretzels or other desired shapes.
9. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 175°C (350°F).
10. Carefully drop the kaimatis into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
11. Remove the kaimatis from the oil and drain on paper towels.
12. Serve warm, dipped in honey or syrup if desired.
Variation: Loukoumades (Mini Greek Doughnuts)
Ingredients:
- 250g (1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 50g (1/4 cup) sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 100ml (3oz) milk, warm
- 50g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Honey or syrup, for dipping (optional)
Instructions:
1. Follow the same steps as for traditional kaimatis, using the modified ingredients.
2. Instead of knotting the ropes into pretzels, cut them into 2cm (3/4in) pieces and shape them into balls.
3. Fry the loukoumades in batches until golden brown.
4. Serve warm, dipped in honey or syrup if desired.