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Doughnuts, Greek (Svingi) (D/P, TNT)
Source: "The Food of Greece," by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles
Yield: 28 to 30 3" puffs

1 cup boiling water
4 tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. grated orange rind
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
4 eggs
Olive or other vegetable oil
Honey, warmed or a syrup made by combining 2 cups sugar and 2 tsp. lemon juice
Ground cinnamon

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the boiling water, butter or margarine, salt, sugar, and orange rind. Bring to a boil.

Meanwhile sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients all at once to the hot mixture, beating hard with a wooden spoon over medium heat until the mixture forms a compact mass and leaves the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1 minute.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating hard after each addition; the mixture should be smooth, glossy and thick.

Heat the oil (which should be 2-1/2" to 3" deep) almost to the smoking point, then drop the batter by tablespoons into the oil, without crowding, to form puffs. When the puffs surface, turn them to fry on all sides, using tongs, then lift them out, drain off excess oil in absorbent paper.

Place on warm platter and keep warm. If using the syrup, boil the syrup ingredients for 5 minutes; spoon the syrup, or warm honey, over the puffs, sprinkle with cinnamon, and serve hot.

Posted by Susan Greene

Nutritional Info Per Serving: N/A