Zalabya
Middle East kitchen
Zalabya is the most famous Mediterranean dessert especially during holidays. Everyone's favorite sweet fritters, one round ball that is, usually, dunked in simple syrup. Crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. A wildly popular golden nuggets street dessert.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Egyptian, Middle Eastern
Batter
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
Sugar Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 lemon Juice
- 1 tsp orange blossom water
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
Make the syrup first, mix all the syrup ingredients in a saucepan on a low to medium heat and simmer and stir for 10-15 minutes then allow to cool.
Make the batter next, dissolve the yeast and sugar in half a cup of luke warm water and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
Place the flour in a large bowl, mix in the yeast water and salt then gradually stir in 2 1/2 cups of luke warm water and beat until smooth and elastic.
Cover with a towel and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Heat oil in a frying pan till very hot.
Drop small balls of batter with a tablespoon into the oil turning them over until crisp, golden and puffed.
Dip the Zalabia balls into the syrup for a few seconds then serve either hot or cold.