Luqmat al Qadi - Arabic Yeast Donuts

Luqumat al Qadi (Judge's Morsels)


3 cups flour

Dash of salt

1 1/2 tbsp corn starch

1 1/2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp instant yeast

1 3/4 cups water

-----Oil for frying

Blend all really well until it's a sticky dough, use the whisk.
Cover with cling film and allow to rest 1 hour. After 15 minutes go back though to check on it and mix it a little. Allowing it to proof in a dark place works best. 

Syrup:

In a pot add the following and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool in a shallow dish.

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

lemon juice

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Method: When ready for frying donuts make desired size of balls using 2 spoons (oiled) to drop in the oil.

Method 1: Remove once browned and allow to soak on a paper towel briefly then add to the syrup immediately to coat and absorb before removing to a final serving dish.

Many arab cooks are talented to be able to drop the luqumat dough into the oil by collecting some in their fists and letting a small amount drop down into the oil but unfortunately I can't do this.

 I developed an interesting method of putting it into a large plastic zip lock or piping back and then cutting a hole in the corner and then holding a scissors with the other hand and dipping the tip of the scissors into the hot oil. Once some pressure is applied to the piping bag the desired amount of dough comes down and with the hot scissors I clip the dough at the base of the bag and it falls into the oil. This method worked pretty well for me..

Method 2: Add the balls to the oil and cook until the inside is done but they are light in color. Remove and set on a plate and keep making the rest of the batches until the dough is complete. At the end wait for the oil to come back to frying temperature and add the balls in again, one batch at a time to get very dark and golden then transfer each batch to the syrup and submerge between 1-3 minutes. Drain and serve! This method works beautifully especially on the larger ones.

I hope you enjoy these sweets, they are very popular during ramadan!