Sab Al-Gaf’sha - A Wonderful Kuwaiti Delicacy

Forget donuts, cronuts or churros these babies are the absolute rulers. A bit like a Rum Baba without the rum, a harder shell, and way much more flavourful. It's hard to find a really good recipe for them as most Kuwaiti women guard it carefully, they will gladly send you a big plate full rather than share the recipe. Which I love them for because it also saves me the effort. The only problem with them is you can't stop eating them.

I came across this recipe on With A Spin blog and a lovely endearing explanation of what Ramadan is for many. Enjoy!

So let me guest a guest who is guesting. You'll understand in a few seconds.

With thanks to Laila and Fatimah from With A Spin blog.

Just like last year, I have invited few of my blogger friends to guest post during Ramadan.  I am very happy to present you Fatemah from Saffron Pudding this week. I absolutely love her mesmerizing storytelling writing and of course the traditional Middle Eastern and Khaleeji/Kuwaiti recipes. Raised in Kuwait with a Persian background, her recipes are full of flavor. It is my immense pleasure to have her today as my guest. Let’s give her a warm welcome here at With A Spin and see what Kuwait delicacy and cultural tidbits she is presenting us today.

Ramadan. Like a special guest, he arrives. He slowly knocks on the doors, letting everybody know he is here. He is no ordinary guest for he makes everyone around him more blessed, happy and sincere. But like all polite guest, he leaves before he is too much to handle.

Funny how we get angry and frustrated when our dinner is an hour or even half an hour late, but we happily stay hungry for hours for a whole month without complaints. It’s definitely God’s mercy.

I can go on and on about my fascination with Ramadan and how special it is for me and for the whole Muslim world. But I won’t because I know you are all aware of that. Instead, I will just share a bit of tradition that we have in Kuwait in Ramadan and a dish that is often prepared specially for this holy month.

In Kuwait the time between Futoor and Suhoor is called Ghab’ga (غبقة). Around 10-12 p.m tea is prepared, everyone comes to the living room from their naps/prayers for a rest, little chats and little TV Snacks and desserts are served.

One of the most popular Kuwaiti sweets is Sab El-gaf’sha (صب القفشة) which literally means (pour the spoon). It is fried dumplings that are prepared with gram flour, eggs, cardamom, saffron and sweetened with simple syrup.

It is often prepared just before Futoor so it can be served hot and fresh but it is also served for Ghab’ga when the simple syrup has penetrated the dumplings well and they now resemble more the texture of cake, perfect for pairing with a nice hot cup of tea.

SAB EL-GAF’SHA, A KUWATI DELICACY

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PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

20 mins

TOTAL TIME

35 mins

Fried Sweet Dumpling Recipe, Sab El-gaf’sha, a Kuwati sweet dumpling recipe served mainly during Ramadan.

Author: Lail Hossain

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 satblespoon sugar
• 1 cup gram flour
• 2 cups all purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon
• ¼ cup vegetable oil, plus more for frying
• 1¼ cup luke warm water - divided
• 4 eggs
• a pinch of salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground saffron
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
• Ground pistachios for garnish ( optional)
• Simple syrup
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• Few drop of fresh lemon juice
• A pinch of ground cardamom
• A pinch of ground saffron

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, 1tablespoon flour, and ¼ cup water. Let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients all at once. Whisk until all ingredients are well incorporated. Cover and let the batter rest for at least one hour.
3. In a large, high edge skillet, heat oil for frying over high-medium heat. Take some batter with a tablespoon and slowly drop the batter in the oil with a help of another spoon.
4. Turn the dumplings a few times until they’re cooked and golden brown on each side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
5. Transfer to the serving dish. Drizzle with simple syrup and garnish with pistachios before serving.
7. STEPS TO MAKE SYRUP
8. In a small pot, dissolve sugar and water over medium-high heat.
9. Add lemon juice, cardamom and saffron. Bring to boil. Let mixture boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

NOTES

The ingredients in this recipe yield a large batch. If you want you can half the recipe.
What I do is that I make the whole recipe at the beginning of the week. I drizzle some dumplings to eat the same day with simple syrup but I leave the rest without syrup and I freeze them in plastic bags. Then everyday for the rest of the week I take some out, microwave and serve them. They’ll be nice and delicious just like fresh ones.