Lokum

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4cupsGranulated sugar
cupWater
1teaspoonLemon juice
1cupCornflour
1teaspoonCream of tartar
1tablespoonTo 2 tb rose water
Red food colouring
½cupChopped, toasted almonds, unblanched
¾cupIcing (confectioner's) sugar
Additional 1/4 cup cornflour

Directions

Combine sugar, 1& ½ cups water and lemon juice in a thick based pan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves, brushing sugar crystals off side of pan with a bristle brush dipped in cold water.

Bring to the boil and boil it to soft ball stage, 115 degrees Celsius (240 degrees Farenheight) on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

In another thick based pan blend cornflour, cream of tartar and 1 cup cold water until smooth. Boil remaining 2 cups of water and stir into cornflour mixture, then place over heat. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Use a balloon whisk if lumps form.

Pour hot syrup gradually into cornflour mixture, stirring constantly.

Bring to the boil and boil gently for 1 & ¼ hours. Stir occassionally with a wooden spoon and cook until mixture is a pale golden colour. Stirring is essential.

Stir in rose water to taste and a few drops of ted food colouring to tinge it a pale pink. Blend in nuts if used, and remove from heat.

Pour into an oiled 23 cm (9 inch) square cake tin and leave for 12 hours to set.

Combine icing sugar and the ¼ cup cornflour in a flat dish.

Cut Turkish Delight into squares with an oiled knife and toss into sugar mixture.

Store in a sealed container with remaining sugar misture sprinkled between layers.

Variations:

Creme de Menth Lokum: replace rose water and red food coloring with 2 tablespoons

Creme de Menth liqueur and a little green food coloring. Omit nuts.

Orange Lokum: Use 1-2 tablespoons orange flower water instead of rose water; use orange food colouring.

Vanilla Lokum: Use 2 tablespoons vanilla essence instead of rose water and colouring, and stir in ½ cup toasted chopped almonds or chopped walnuts. Do not blanch almonds.

Hope this is what you were after.