I watched The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe again a few days ago. It reminded me of my taste for Turkish Delight and all its confection sugary goodness.
The first time I saw this movie I went all in and tried to make the candy myself. And I've found that the process of making candy is usually far less attractive than the candy itself.
When I was finished I gave a piece to a very skeptical Lily who reluctantly took a pea sized bite. I'm ashamed to say, I couldn't bring myself to eat a single one. Finally after letting it sit in a plastic container on my kitchen counter for a month I ended up throwing out the entire batch.
My biggest mistake was when I mixed the ingredients while the sugar simmered which somehow created hundreds of little lumps. I didn't get take any pictures at the time but imagine a jelly like substance riddled with pimply little tumors. NOT the most appetizing thought. Second, I greased the pan so heavily that the candy was coated in a disgusting oil.
So I pose this to you. Those brave enough to have tried their hand at the candy making, TELL ME, how to do Turkish Delight sans lumps AND without jelly sticking to the pan.
And where in the "h-e-double hockey sticks" do you buy rose water?!
Sometimes I fancy myself a confectionist
Friday, December 19
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9 comments:
When I read "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" I thought Turkish delight must be the most delectable creation ever. How could you enslave someone with only a mediocre candy? Obviously, it had to be nothing less than perfection. Fast forward to years later when I finally have my chance to try Turkish delight...Let's just say years of build-up to the event and then a big let down. Was this really Turkish delight? Apparently rose water flavored delicacies seem to be an acquire taste...It didn't taste like candy, it tasted like perfume. *sigh*
I have never attempted those. I guess I'm a scaredy cat. LOL. Hope you find your answers
My attempts to make candy are always dismal failures!! Even fudge, which should be easy.
Have a very merry christmas!! You do such a beautiful job with everything - and congrats on your great shop!
You can buy rosewater in most health-food, middle eastern or chinese stores- The price is not that high-
Here is the recipe that I have used and it works very nicely-
Turkish Delight
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
* 4 cups granulated sugar
* 1 1/4 cups cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
* 4 1/4 cups water
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 1/2 tablespoons rosewater
* 1 cup confectioners sugar
* Vegetable oil ot shortening
Preparation:
In a 9 inch baking pan, grease the sides and bottom with vegetable oil or shortening.
Line with wax paper and grease the wax paper.
In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar and 1 1/2 cups water on medium heat.
Stir constantly until sugar dissolves.
Allow mixture to boil.
Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Combine cream of tartar, 1 cup corn starch and remaining water in saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until all lumps are gone and the mixture begins to boil.
Stop stirring when the mixture has a glue like consistency.
Stir in the lemon juice, water and sugar mixture.
Stir constantly for about 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low, Allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring frequently.
Once the mixture has become a golden color, stir in rosewater.
Pour mixture into wax paper lined pan.
Spread evenly and allow to cool overnight.
Once it has cooled overnight, sift together confectioners sugar and remaining cornstarch.
Turn over baking pan containing Turkish delight onto clean counter or table that has been sprinkled the confectioners sugar and corn starch and cut with oiled knife into one inch pieces.
Coat with more confectioners sugar mixture. If you place the sugar mixture in a bag and drop the pieces in as you cut them it makes the process easier.
Serve or store in airtight container in layers separated with wax or parchment paper.
Best of luck with your next attempt [it is well worth the effort].
Oh how I love turkish delight but have always been afraid to make my own. I'm definitely going to try cookbooks recipe though.
Wow! I made Turkish Delight for my daughter's fifth grade class when they read "Lion, Witch..." I found the rose water at Balducci's (i think...) Still have it; 7 years later!
thats the most disgusting piece of turkish delight ive ever seen. Good job putting your finger print in there. Try wearing gloves.
HI a fancy myself is good to have a confectionist but sometimes is not that good the confection but what is really good is buy viagra that is right .
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