Loukoumia - Turkish Delight

The Greek version of Turkish Delight is called Loukoumia. It is a very popular sweet in Greece, with both young and old alike.

Large pink or yellow squares, dusted in icing sugar are a lovely sweet indulgence. Have it with a Greek Coffee, a glass of water, or just for a lovely sweet treat.

Ingredients

400g sugar
300ml water
25g powdered gelatine
2.5ml cream of tartar
30ml rose water
pink food colouring
45ml icing sugar
15ml cornflour

Preparation

First dampen the insides of 2 x 18cm square tins with lukewarm water. Be careful not to wet them too much.
Add the sugar and all but 4 tablespoons of water to a heavy based saucepan.
Blend the 4 tablespoons of reserved water with the gelatine in a small bowl.
Heat the sugar and water, over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Place the small bowl of water and gelatin, in a pan and heat gently over a low heat, stirring until the gelatin has dissolved completely.
Bring the sugar syrup to the boil and continue to boil for about 8 minutes. If you use a sugar thermometer, it will need to reach 130C, 260F.
Stir the cream of tartar into the gelatin and pour into the sugar syrup.
Stir until well mixed. Remove from the heat.
Add the rose water.

You can now add the food colouring to the entire mixture, or to have two colours of Turkish Delight, pour half the mixture into one of the tins.
Now, add a little food colouring to the remainder of the mixture.
Mix until well blended and pour this into the second tin.
Leave to set for at least several hours, or preferably, overnight.

Take a sheet of baking paper and dust with some of the sifted icing sugar and cornflour.
Dip the base of the tin in hot water to release the loukoumia and turn out onto the paper.
Cut into 2.5cm squares, using an oiled knife.
Arrange on a serving plate and dust with more icing sugar if required.

Some great ways to vary this basic turkish delight recipe is to add flavourings. Try lemon or orange or creme de menthe. Add food colourings accordingly to go with these flavours. A very popular greek version of turkish delight is to add chopped pistachio nuts just before pouring into the tins.

Loukoumia are a great idea to make and give for a gift. Line a gift box with a couple of layers of tissue paper, add a bow on top of the box and you have a delectable gift that everyone will love.

Have a look at these beautiful serving plates and dessert dishes to serve these sweets on!