LOKUM ( TURKISH DELIGHT )

Ingredients

• •4 c Granulated sugar
• •4 1/2 c Water
• •1 ts Lemon juice
• •1 c Cornflour
• •1 ts Cream of tartar
• •1 tb Rose water (may be doubled)
• •Red food coloring
• •1/2 c Chopped, toasted almonds
• •3/4 c Confectioners' sugar
• •1/4 c Cornflour

Directions

1. 1Cooking time: 1 1/2 hours. Makes about 1 kg. (2 lb).
2. 2Combine sugar, 1 1/2 cups water and lemon juice in a
3. 3thick-based pan. Stir over low heat until sugar
4. 4dissolves, brushing sugar crystals off side of pan
5. 5with bristle brush dipped in cold water.
6. 6Bring to the boil and boil to soft ball stage 115
7. 7C (240 F) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat.
8. 8In another thick-based pan blend cornflour, cream
9. 9of tartar and 1 cup cold water until smooth. Boil
10. 10remaining 2 cups water and stir into cornflour
11. 11mixture, then place over low heat. Stir constantly
12. 12until mixture thickens and bubbles. Use a balloon
13. 13whisk if lumps form.
14. 14Pour hot syrup gradually into cornflour mixture,
15. 15stirring constantly. Bring to the boil and gently for
16. 161 1/4 hours. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon
17. 17and cook until mixture is a pale golden colour.
18. 18Stirring is essential.
19. 19Stir in rose water to taste and a few drops of red
20. 20food colouring to tinge it pale pink. Blend in nuts
21. 21if used, and remove from heat.
22. 22Pour into an oiled 23 cm (9 inch) square cake tin
23. 23and leave for 12 hours to set.
24. 24Combine confectioners' sugar and the 1/4 cup
25. 25cornflour in a flat dish.
26. 26Cut Turkish Delight into squares with an oiled
27. 27knife and toss in sugar mixture. Store in a sealed
28. 28container with remaining sugar mixture sprinkled
29. 29between layers. VARIATIONS: Creme de Menthe Lokum:
30. 30Replace rose water and red food colouring with 2
31. 31tablespoons Creme de Menthe liqueur and a little green
32. 32food colouring. Omit nuts. Orange Lokum: Use 1-2
33. 33tablespoons orange flower water instead of rose water;
34. 34use orange food colouring. Vanilla Lokum: Use 2
35. 35teaspoons vanilla essence instead of rose water and
36. 36colouring, stir in 1/2 cup toasted chopped almonds or
37. 37chopped walnuts. Do not blanch almonds.