Foodie Friday - Turkish Delight

Turkish Delight (also known as lokum) did originate in Turkey – funny that…  It goes back many centuries.

It is a mouthful of naughtiness and joy.

If you wanted to make it yourself, here is a traditional home recipe using rosewater (thanks to The Spruce Eats)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 1/2 cups water (divided)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups cornstarch
• 1 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rosewater
• 2 to 3 drops red food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Method:

Prepare a 9-by-9-inch pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside for now.

Place the sugar, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cups of the water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, and bring the mixture to a boil.

Brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming, and insert a candy thermometer.

Allow the sugar mixture to continue boiling, without stirring, until it reaches 240 F on the candy thermometer.

When the sugar syrup is around 225 F, begin to get the rest of the candy ingredients prepared. Place the remaining 3 cups of water in another, slightly larger, saucepan. Add the cornstarch and cream of tartar and whisk until the starch dissolves and there are no lumps.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring or whisking constantly. The mixture will become thick and pasty.

Once the sugar syrup is at 240 F, remove it from the heat. Slowly, carefully, pour it into the cornstarch mixture, whisking until it is fully incorporated.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking it every 8 to 10 minutes, for about an hour, until the candy has turned a light golden-yellow color and is very thick and gluey.

After an hour, remove from the heat and stir in the food coloring and the rosewater.

Pour the candy into the prepared pan and allow it to set, uncovered, overnight.

The next day, remove the candy from the pan using the foil as handles. Dust your work station with the powdered sugar, and flip the candy onto the powdered sugar. Remove the foil from the back and dust the top with the sugar. Use an oiled chef’s knife to cut the Turkish Delight into small squares. Dust each side of the square with powdered sugar to prevent stickiness.