The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Turkish Delight Recipe

Hey Guys!
In the movie and the book, 'The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe', Edmund Pevensie encounters a magical dessert in Narnia called "Turkish Delight". (No, that doesn't mean that it only existed in Narnia) So I found a recipe online so you guys can try it yourself. *In the words of Captain Barbossa* "Here it is"

 Ingredients
4 cups sugar 
4 1/2 cups water 
2 teaspoons lemon juice 
1 1/4 cups cornstarch 
1 teaspoon cream of tartar 
1 1/2 tablespoons rosewater 
red food coloring (optional) 
1 cup confectioners sugar

Introduction:
This appealing candy is easy to make at home. Rosewater can be found at specialty food stores. When the sugar syrup boils, coat the inside of the saucepan with a brush dipped in water to prevent sugar crystals from forming. 

Makes 80 pieces.
Total time: 2 hours. 

Step 1:
Oil a 9-inch square pan. Line with plastic wrap and oil the plastic wrap. 
(Okay, this didn't make any sense. Think about it...Pouring hot sugar into plastic wrap...Wouldn't it melt?? So after doing some research I found that Turkish Delight is known to stick to pans. So I lined my pans with Aluminium foil, put Shortening on the foil, then sprayed it with cooking spray, and then finally lined it with powdered sugar. Yes, I really didn't want that stuff to stick... :P)

Step 2:
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, 1 1/2 cups of the water, and the lemon juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, without stirring, until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (240°F on a candy thermometer). Remove the pan from the heat. 

Step 3:
In a second large heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup cornstarch and the cream of tartar. Gradually stir in the remaining 3 cups of water until no lumps remain. Stir constantly, until the mixture boils and is a thick, gluey paste. 

Step 4:
Slowly pour the hot sugar, water, and lemon juice syrup into the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often to prevent sticking, for about 1 hour, or until the mixture has become a pale golden color. 

Step 5:
Stir in the rosewater and tint as desired with food coloring. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Cool to room temperature and let stand, uncovered, overnight to set. 

Step 6:
Sift the confectioners sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch onto a large cutting board. Turn the Turkish delight out and cut into 1-inch squares with an oiled knife. Roll pieces in the sugar mixture to coat well. Store in an airtight container with sheets of waxed paper, dusted with the sugar mixture, separating every layer. 

And.... *Drum Roll* I tried it myself. Here's how it turned out: 

So, ya. It's kinda hard to see. I didn't dye mine, so it's yellow instead of red. It's pretty good. You can't eat more than like 2 at a time, or you fall into a sugar coma...But tasty non the less. (I'm not responsible for anything that may or may not happen to you.) 


~ Aloisa Quintal