Turkish delight homemade

Turkish homemade delight: The treat that will bring a smile to your face

Turkish delight, also known as lokum, is a dessert with a fascinating history, rooted in ancient culinary traditions. Legend has it that a gourmet king named Sevt was desperately searching for a dessert to delight his taste buds, but despite his chefs' efforts, he found nothing to his liking. One day, a young Turkish girl came up with a simple yet delicious recipe that changed everything. This soft and fragrant dessert was so appreciated that the king exclaimed, "This is the true flavor of Heaven!" Today, I will present you with the recipe for this wonderful delight that you can easily prepare at home.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 4-6 hours
Total time: 4-6 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 16-20 pieces

Ingredients

- 500 ml water
- 500 g sugar
- 1 lemon (zest and slices)
- 1-2 tablespoons of flavorless oil (I recommend sweet almond oil for a subtle taste)
- 150 ml rose water
- 50 ml rose syrup
- 100 g cornstarch

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preparing the tray
Start by preparing the tray where you will pour the delight. Choose a tray with high sides (about 3 cm) and grease it well with oil. If you want ease in removal, you can add a sheet of aluminum foil, which should also be greased with oil.

2. Preparing the sugar syrup
In a small pot, add 500 ml of water, 500 g of sugar, and the lemon zest. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the lemon slices. Boil the mixture until the syrup thickens slightly, making sure to stir occasionally.

3. Preparing the cornstarch mixture
In another bowl, dissolve 100 g of cornstarch in 150 ml of water and 50 ml of rose syrup. If the resulting emulsion is too thick, you can add a few tablespoons of water to thin it out.

4. Combining the ingredients
When the sugar syrup is ready, pour the cornstarch mixture over the lemon syrup. Continue to boil on low heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot. You will notice that the mixture becomes opaque and thicker. This is the stage where the delight begins to take the desired shape.

5. Adding flavors and colors
If you wish to add food coloring or other flavors (such as vanilla or almond essence), this is the ideal time. I prefer to keep it simple, but you can experiment as you wish.

6. Pouring into the tray
Once the mixture has thickened well, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the prepared tray. Allow it to cool at room temperature in a cool place (not in the refrigerator) for 4-6 hours or until it completely sets.

7. Finalizing
After the delight has cooled, dust it with powdered sugar, coconut, or ground nuts, according to your preferences. Carefully turn the delight onto a cutting board and cut it into pieces of your desired size. Roll each piece in the chosen coating, and your dessert is ready!

8. Storage
Store the Turkish delight in closed cardboard boxes. Although it has a softer consistency at first, after a few days of storage, it will firm up, providing a pleasant texture.

Useful tips

- Choosing ingredients: Use quality sugar and authentic rose water for a refined taste. If you don't like the aroma of rose water, you can opt for vanilla or almond essences.
- For perfect texture: Make sure to stir constantly during boiling to prevent lumps from forming.
- Customization: You can add nuts, pistachios, or candied fruits to the mixture for an extra flavor boost.

Ideal combinations

Turkish delight pairs wonderfully with fragrant teas or coffee, making it a perfect choice for a moment of relaxation. You can serve it alongside a cheese pie or a fruit tart for a complete culinary experience.

Nutritional benefits

Turkish delight is rich in carbohydrates, providing a quick source of energy. It is a good choice for a sweet snack, but like any dessert, it should be consumed in moderation. Due to its simple ingredients, it is also a healthier alternative compared to many other processed sweets.

Frequently asked questions

- Why didn't my delight thicken?
Make sure you stirred constantly and boiled the cornstarch mixture long enough. If it is not hot enough, it will not thicken properly.

- Can I use another type of sugar?
White sugar is the most recommended, but you can experiment with brown sugar for a more caramelized taste.

- How can I make the delight more colorful?
Adding food coloring is easy. Make sure to add it at the right time to achieve the desired shades.

I conclude this recipe with the hope that you will try to make this delicious Turkish delight at home. With a bit of patience and love, you will create a dessert that not only delights your taste buds but also brings a touch of magic into your life. Enjoy!