Thursday, May 3, 2012

Elderberry (or other) Turkish Delight

Turkish Delight is a candy that originated in Turkey in the 1700's. The candy was featured in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", by C.S Lewis. The White Witch tempted a character, Edmund, with Turkish Delight. This easy Turkish Delight recipe will tempt you, too!
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 2 hour, 10 minutes Total Time: 2 hour, 25 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 elderberry juice or syrup 1 cup icing sugar Vegetable oil or 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. An alternate method offered to know when the sugar mixture is ready is by putting a handbowl of cold water next to the sauce pan and periodically test by pouring a drop of sugar into the cold water. If the sugar dilutes in the cold water it's not ready, if it turns to candy it is not ready, if it forms a ball is it ready! 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, and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring frequently. Once the mixture has become a golden color, stir in elderberry. 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 and cut with oiled knife into one inch pieces. Coat with confectioners sugar mixture. Serve or store in airtight container in layers separated with wax or parchment paper. Amended from http://mideastfood.about.com/od/dessertssweetspastries/r/turkishdelight.htm

No comments:

Post a Comment