This article will teach you how to make traditional Turkish tulumba tatlisi, a mouthwatering Middle Eastern pastry. It will surely bring a unique culinary experience to your kitchen. Whether you are an experienced cook or a beginner, this guide will assist you in creating a delectable dessert that will amaze your family and friends!
It was a beautiful day in San Antonio, and I was out with a few of my friends, looking for a place to have lunch. We stumbled upon a Middle Eastern restaurant that looked so inviting that we decided to go in. We ordered our meals and enjoyed them immensely. The food was so good that we decided to stay for dessert. They served us Turkish tulumba tatlisi, a delicious pastry made from flour, sugar, and water fried and soaked in syrup.
As we were enjoying our dessert, a stray dog wandered into the restaurant and caused a commotion. The sudden commotion startled the customers, and some customers started getting up from their seats. However, the restaurant’s owner, an old Iraqi woman, immediately sprang into action. She went to the dog and started to talk to it softly. As a result, the dog seemed to calm down, and she could lead it out of the restaurant.
After the commotion, the restaurant owner approached our table to check if we were okay. We told her we were fine and complimented her on the delicious dessert she had served us. She smiled and thanked us. I then asked her if she would share the recipe for the Turkish tulumba tatlisi. To my surprise, she agreed to give it to me.
She returned to the kitchen with a piece of paper with the recipe written on it. She explained the ingredients and the steps involved in making the pastry. I thanked her and promised to try making it at home. She smiled and said she hoped I would enjoy it as much as she did.
The recipe was straightforward and required only a limited number of ingredients: all-purpose flour, water, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, salt, eggs, and some oil for frying. This simple combination was all that was needed to create something delicious. The old woman revealed that the key to creating perfect pastries was generously pouring syrup over them after frying. Additionally, she suggested that this sweet and sticky topping added an extra layer of flavor and texture, transforming the treats from ordinary to extraordinary. The syrup was made by combining granulated sugar, water, and half a lemon. The inclusion of the citrus fruit imparted a subtle tanginess to the mixture that worked in perfect harmony with the sweetness of the sugar to create an exquisitely balanced flavor.
If you’re planning to make Turkish tulumba tatlisi at home, I highly recommend that you serve it with a generous portion of whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. This combination will not only add sweetness to the dish but also give it an extra layer of indulgence and richness. The delectable creaminess of the dairy products would perfectly balance out the sweetness of the syrup and create an ideal contrast to the crunchy, crispiness of the pastries. You could add a delicious nutty crunch to your dish by sprinkling some finely chopped pistachios or walnuts on top. This is an easy and tasty way to elevate the flavor of your meal, making it even more enjoyable.
Overall, Turkish tulumba tatlisi is an easy-to-make yet impressive dessert that will surely wow your guests. It’s a delicious treat that captures the essence of the Middle East’s rich culinary history, and it’s something we’ll always fondly remember from that warm summer day in San Antonio.
Here is how I create the Turkish tulumba tatlisi at home.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour, 1 cup
- Water, 1 cup
- Granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon
- 2 Eggs
- Frying oil
For the syrup:
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 lemon
How to create the Turkish tulumba tatlisi?
- In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together the sugar and water until the sugar has completely dissolved to make the syrup. Squeeze the lemon juice into the saucepan and add the lemon half to the mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until it is thickened – that should take approximately 10-15 minutes. After removing the lemon half, set aside the syrup to cool.
- Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add water while constantly stirring to form a smooth and thick batter.
- In a different bowl, beat the eggs and mix them into the batter until all ingredients are well combined.
- Heat the oil in a deep frying pan to 375°F (190°C) while you fill a pastry bag with the batter and put on the star-shaped tip.
- Gently squeezing the pastry bag, create a lineup of long strips in the hot oil – approximately four inches (10 cm) in length. Fry the strips until golden brown, which should take 3-4 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried strips from the oil to a plate covered with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
- Dip the fried strips in the cooled syrup and ensure they are completely coated; let them sit for minimum of 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve the tulumba tatlisi with a sprinkling of crushed pistachios, if desired.
Do you want to make your Middle Eastern culinary experience more memorable? Here are three unique twists that you could try with the traditional Turkish Tulumba Tatlisi recipe:
Chocolate Tulumba Tatlisi: add cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolate twist on this classic dessert. Simply sift 1/4 cup of cocoa powder with the flour and other dry ingredients, and proceed with the recipe as normal. Once the fried strips are dipped in the syrup, drizzle some melted chocolate before serving. You can use dark chocolate for a more intense flavor or milk chocolate for a sweeter taste.
Orange Blossom Tulumba Tatlisi: to infuse your dessert with a floral aroma, substitute the water in the batter with orange blossom water. You can find this ingredient at specialty food stores or online. Start with 1/4 cup of orange blossom water and adjust the amount to your taste. Add 1/4 cup of orange blossom water instead of the lemon juice for the syrup. The result will be a delicately scented dessert that is perfect for springtime.
Cheesecake-Stuffed Tulumba Tatlisi: for an indulgent dessert that combines two beloved treats, try stuffing the fried strips with cheesecake filling. To make the filling, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Fill a piping bag with the filling and insert the tip into each fried strip, squeezing gently to fill it with the cheesecake mixture. Once all the strips are filled, dip them in the syrup and let them soak as usual. Serve with a whipped cream dollop and a cinnamon sprinkle on top.
Recreating a traditional dessert like Turkish tulumba tatlisi is a fulfilling experience that opens up new culinary horizons. While following the recipe is important, experimenting with different flavors and ingredients can make the dish your own. This approach allows you to explore culinary traditions, learn about the dessert’s history and culture, and ultimately gain a deeper appreciation of food. By personalizing the recipe, you can create a unique and delicious dessert you’ll be proud to serve!
