Traditional Lokum (Turkish Delight) Recipe

Turkish Delight, traditionally known as Lokum, is a confectionary treat that originated in Turkey and spread across the globe. The gummy, sugarcoated candy was invented in 1777 by famous confectioner Bekir Effendi (known as Haci Bekir after the Muslim hajj pilgrimage). Haci Bekir owned a candy shop in the Bahcekapi district of Istanbul. Amazingly Haci Bekir’s shop is still open today in the exact same location. Run by his descendents, Haci Bekir Confectioners is in its fifth generation. It is the oldest company in Turkey to operate from its original location. It now has representative companies in England, Egypt, South Africa, Japan, France and America. The company sells Lokum in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, orange, lemon, clotted cream, rose, cinnamon, bergamot, pineapple, honey and mint flavors.

*Cooking time: 1 ½ hrs., makes about 2 lbs.

Ingredients:
4 cups granulated sugar
4 ½ cups water
1 teaspoons lemon juice
1 ¼ cup cornstarch (cornflour)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoons rosewater (may be doubled)
¾ cup confectioners’ (powdered) sugar
½ cup chopped, toasted almonds (may be omitted)
red food coloring

1.) Combine 1 ½ cups water, sugar and lemon juice in a thick-based pan on low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Brush sugar crystals from the side of pan with a bristle brush dipped in cold water.

2.) Boil mixture until it reaches its "soft ball" stage, 240 °F on a candy thermometer. Remove pan from heat.

3.) Blend 1 cup cornstarch, cream of tartar and 1 cup cold water in thick-based pan until smooth. Boil remaining 2 cups of water and add to cornstarch mixture. Simmer on low heat, stirring constantly until mixture bubbles and thickens.

4.) Slowly combine the two mixtures, stirring constantly. Boil gently for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mixture will become a pale golden color.

5.) Stir in rose water to taste and a few drops of red food coloring to make it pink. Blend in almonds, and remove from heat.

6.) Pour into a greased 9-inch square pan and allow to set for 12 hours.

7.) Mix confectioners' sugar with ¼ cup cornstarch and pour on a flat surface. Cut Turkish Delight into squares with a greased knife and roll each piece in the sugar mixture. Sprinkle remaining mixture over each layer of Turkish Delight. Store in a sealed container.

Variations:

Orange Lokum
Replace rose water and red food coloring with 1-2 tablespoons orange flower water and orange food coloring.

Vanilla Lokum
Replace rose water and red food coloring with 2 teaspoons vanilla essence.

Crème de Menthe Lokum
Replace rose water and red food coloring with 2 tablespoons Crème de Menthe liqueur and green food coloring. Omit almonds.

Note:
This list information was being forwarded around the Internet in e-mail, so I decided to put it on my web page. I'm afraid I can't vouch for its authenticity, tell you where it came from, who compiled the list, or anything like that.