How to Make the Tastiest Emirati Luqaimat

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• A small pinch of salt
• A small pinch of turmeric - yellow spice (for color)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• A pinch of saffron
• A pinch of ground cardamom
• Nigella seeds
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Date molasses sauce - for garnish
• Water as needed for the dough - about 3/4 cup
• To get the bread awama recipe, click this link:
• How to Make Bread Awama
• To prepare some Ramadan dessert recipes, click this link to make the tastiest: Qamar al-Din Muhallabia or Balouza
• To prepare one of the tastiest refreshing cold drinks, here is How to Make Rose Syrup

Method

1. Place the dry ingredients in a deep bowl suitable for mixing the dough.
2. Start adding the water gradually while mixing so the ingredients combine well and the sugar and yeast have time to dissolve and activate.
3. It is best not to add the water all at once, since the amount may vary depending on the type of flour. We want a smooth dough, but a soft one.
4. Add the tablespoon of vegetable oil and continue mixing.
5. Adding turmeric is optional; it is up to you, but it will give the luqaimat a beautiful yellow color inside after frying.
6. Leave the luqaimat dough aside, covered, to rise for about two hours.
7. After the time has passed, heat plenty of oil in a frying pan. The oil should be at a medium temperature so the luqaimat cook through without browning only on the outside.
8. Traditionally, Emirati luqaimat are shaped by hand, but if you find that difficult, use a piping bag.
9. Put a drop of vegetable oil inside the piping bag to grease it from the inside.
10. Place the luqaimat dough in the piping bag and cut off the tip of the bag at the bottom.
11. Start piping a little of the luqaimat batter into the hot, deep oil... guide the amount you want through the opening of the bag, then snip the dough with scissors so it falls into the oil.
12. The dough will puff up in the oil and form into little balls. Turn them until they are golden or lightly browned on all sides. Adjust the color as desired.
13. Place the luqaimat on a serving plate and garnish with date molasses sauce and sesame seeds.
14. Note: The quantities are enough for a small bowl of luqaimat. You can double the amount as needed or desired.
15. This Emirati luqaimat recipe and method comes to you from the #WhatAreWeCookingToday kitchen.