In order to give you a little bit of a break from my incessant photography of Sarajevo (but never fear, you will be subjected to more very shortly!), and seeing as I have been pretty much stuck in the kitchen (having to wait for workmen etc) whilst the flood water in our basement slowly subsided, (not to mention the fact that I have been slightly obsessed with the idea of making this since I got back from Bosnia!), Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you an attempt at the original food of love – Turkish Delight (more commonly known as Lokum in Eastern parts)…
I am not going to lie to you, it perhaps wasn’t the easiest thing I have ever made, but when the pretty pink powdery cubes turned out to taste quite authentic, it cheered up this semi house-bound haus frau no end!
I don’t think anyone is entirely sure of it’s origin, some stories involve amorous sultans on missions to impress countless mistresses, whilst others credit its creation to a Turkish sweet maker, whose small packages of Lokum were bought as love tokens. Both stories involve love though I will give them that, and the spice shops of Sarajevo too were full of people on the search for packages of Lokum to take home to their loved ones.
I did let my loved ones try a few squares of this homemade version, but I might have eaten more than my fair share…
Ingredients:
800g caster sugar; 140g icing sugar; 150g cornflour; 1tsp cream of tartar; 950ml water; 1tbsp lemon juice; 1.5tbsp good quality rose water; food colouring (optional);vegetable oil
You will also need:
A tin of around 8 x 10 inches (or thereabouts), lined with baking paper and given a good brushing with vegetable oil. A sugar thermometer;
Combine the sugar, lemon juice and 340ml of water together in a pan, and stir constantly over a lower heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Slowly bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and allow to simmer until your sugar thermometer reads 115Deg C. Take off the heat, and get started on the next bit…
In a different pan, combine the cream of tartar, 120g cornflour, and the rest of the water, whisking together (getting rid of any lumps) over a medium heat until it starts to boil. Then watch it like a hawk until the milky liquid begins to thicken, and starts to resemble PVA.
Pour the contents of one pan into the other, and stir constantly over low heat for five minutes. Reduce heat further, and simmer for an hour.
When (and only when) it becomes golden in colour you can stir in the rose water, and a couple of drops of food colouring (if you are using any). Pour the molten lava into the tin and leave to cool completely overnight.
Carefully run a knife around the edge of the tin, and turn out onto a tray covered with baking paper (I had run out – foil is not good by the way!) dusted liberally with the rest of the icing sugar and the cornflour. Dip a sharp knife into boiling water and cut into cubes, turning gently in the flour/sugar mixture (adding slightly more if necessary). Cover with another sheet of baking paper, and leave to dry for at least another day (or slightly longer until it has firmed up!) . Add a touch more flour and icing sugar if you need to, put in a lovely box, and give to your most loved one… whether or not that’s yourself, is completely up to you!
And if you don’t like the taste of roses, you could always try it with a couple of drops of peppermint or orange oil instead? Or perhaps you could go a bit retro and go use violet oil for some parma violet Turkish delight? You could of course go plain with lots of roasted chopped pistachios, but then again you might choose to go to Istanbul or Sarajevo and get some of the real stuff… I will leave that decision up to you…
Looks perfect! Thanks for linking up with #recipeoftheweek :) There’s a new one live now (look for the quiche on the home page!), if you want to join in x
Thanks Emily! :)
I don’t know what it is about Turkish Delight that I’m not a fan of. Perhaps the rosewater? I don’t know, but my husband on the other hand LOVES it! :) He’ll be happy I’ve got this recipe! Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!
Thank you Anyonita! Maybe try it with orange essence instead? :)
Oh I never tried to make Turkish delight although. Grow up eating them what a lovely idea!
Recipe bookmarked!
Thanks Otilia! I hope they turn out OK for you! :)
Ever since Edmond was tempted with Turkish Delight by the White Witch I have always wanted to try some!!! This is great! Thanks for linking up at Tasty Tuesday’s!!! I am one of the co-hosts this month!
And thank you for commenting! :)
I. love. Turkish Delight. I blame The Chronicles of Narnia. And my best friend is obsessed with the stuff as well. Actually, come to think of it, she also read those books as a child! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Nat! I had completely forgotten about the Turkish Delight in Narnia until you said! :)
I never realized Turkish Delights were so easy to make! Now I have to make some. :)
Thank you! Easy yes, straight forward no! Was interesting to make though! :D
I love Turkist Delight, thank you for adding the recipe I will defiantly be giving it a go as soon as I can.
Loving the pictures too, I’ve been very tardy of late checking out other peoples blogs, hope the workmen sorted the flooding problem out.
xxx
Thank you… We are still working on the workmen! Let me know how you get on with the Turkish Delight! :) xxx
Aw, see? Now I just want to go back. Or at least up to your place to do a taste comparison…
Since I have eaten this lot (with some help!), I will save you some of the next lot! Emma :)
They look lush… xx
Thank you (: xx
i not keen on turkish delight but i think you may have converted me they look lovely
If I thought they would survive the post, I would send you some! :) x
I’m not going to attempt to make these so will just admire your skills instead. You remind me of the woman in the book, Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, creating these gorgeous treats.
Aw thank you Trish, that’s a lovely comment. I have only ever seen the film. I can but hope that Johnny Depp’s going to pop round then! :) x
You are so clever. I love Turkish delight.
Thank you! (:
I love proper Turkish Delight (do you remember the Fry’s stuff? That was yukky!). X.
I will admit to quite liking the chocolate on that though… :D Thank you! x
perfect little pink cubes – they look so tempting, but I’m not a huge TD fan – probably the rose flavour because I usually like jelly sweets. Maybe orange would be better?
Think though you’d have to love it to make it – doesn’t sound that straightforward! :)
Do you know I think I would like the orange even more! Thank you… If you ever have to spend hours stuck at home, you could try it… :)
Yummy! We arrived in Turkey yesterday and got given these when we arrived at the hotel. I realised 30 seconds after that that little Z had shoved one in his mouth and his face and clothes were completely covered in white :)
He is obviously a child with very good taste! Have a great time! (:
These look yum! Rose wouldn’t be my first choice but I’m a sucker for anything mint. I’ll give them a whirl when I’m feeling brave.
Thank you! I quite like the sound of it with orange too! :) x
Beautiful! It might have been difficult but you’ve made it look easy. I want to try now.. Waiting for some free time to catch up on the Sarajevo posts, want to read them properly and not skim as time more often allows..
Thank you Sarah, I hope they don’t bore you to tears! I loved it so much there…
yummy stuff
Thanks Val! (: x