Do you know the xerotigans? I’m sure you know. It is a fasting dessert from Crete, very light and delicious which is served on an empty stomach but also in joys. The ingredients of the xerotigans are very simple, hard flour, lemon juice, oil, water and tsikoudia. What makes them special, however, is their cutting, frying and syrup.

Xerotigana is very light sweet and although it is fried it does not absorb oil, which makes it light. The traditional xerotigana are cut with a washer with teeth and turned like roses. They are crunchy although syrupy with thyme honey. Also, I think it is a “casual” dessert in its preparation as you need skill to “turn” the rose dough in the hot oil.

Dough Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg hard flour
• 40 ml lemon juice
• 50 ml Cretan tsikoudia (Rakaki)
• 100 ml olive oil
• 150 ml water at room temperature

For frying: olive oil

Honey syrup Ingredients:

• 250ml water
• 350gr Toplou Thyme Honey

For serving:
Sesame & Cinnamon powder

Execution:
In a large bowl or very large bowl pour the liquids that make up the dough. Gradually and stirring by hand, add the flour and create a hard dough that will not stick to the hand. Cover the bowl with a clean towel for about 10 minutes. Next, cut small pieces of dough and open them into a thin sheet either with a small rolling pin or with the pasta machine. The sheet should be thin and cut into thin strips. All this should be done quickly because the dough will dry out and break. When cutting the strips it will be good to cover them with a fresh towel so that they do not dry out. With the help of a fork, wrap each strip, attaching a ribbon of dough to one of the teeth of the fork, leaving a gap to create the flower that we will fry. Fry the skewers in hot oil, always taking care not to burn or darken in color. Place them on a large platter lined with greaseproof paper or kitchen paper. Pour the ingredients for the syrup in a saucepan, boil for 2-3 minutes and skim the syrup. Dip the cold dried eggs in the hot syrup for half a minute and take them out so that they do not soak. Place them on a plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds and cinnamon.
Good luck!!!