Wednesday
Nov192008
Sky Rockets in Flight: Afternoon Turkish Delight
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 
Early on in the novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Now we know that everyone is entitled to their opinions and tastes, but we think Edmund could have done better. Truly, we've just never understood the appeal of the sticky confection known as Turkish Delight. Sure, it's got an interesting history--but in we've always found its texture kind of weird, and it's always seemed to have had a bit of an identity crisis (somewhere between candy, jelly, nougat and fruit roll-ups). However, when we recently came across a recipe for "Turkish Delight Frothy", a kind of nonalcoholic hot toddy featuring the confection, we have to admit we were intrigued, and so we gave it a try.
The recipe had a distinct Middle Eastern feel, what with rosewater, honey, pistachios, and cardamom. This got us all excited--we love Middle Eastern pastries which largely rely on said ingredients. But would it be enough to make Turkish Delight haters into lovers?
The Turkish Delight Frothy definitely has its strong points. It's warm, spicy, sweet and comforting--like a chai tea latte. However, it's worth noting that rather than masking the flavor of the confectionery, the added ingredients actually managed to heighten it--which we imagine, if you're a fan of the stuff, would be--well, delightful. However, as we sipped we realized that maybe, secretly, brattily, we were hoping that the extra stuff might make frothy might taste like something other than its main ingredient. Le sigh. So while we'll likely stick with hot chocolate and chai as our hot beverages of choice, if you are a fan of Turkish Delight, this one might be worth a try.
-- Recipe from Louise Pickford's "Hot Drinks" (Ryland, Peters & Small), we found it via the Seattle PI.
Here's the recipe:
Turkish Delight Frothy
Serves: 2
- 2 cups milk
- 2 ounces Turkish delight, cut into small cubes, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons rose water
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- Pinch ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon unsalted pistachio nuts, finely chopped
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk and Turkish delight. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture just reaches the boiling point. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the cream, rose water, honey and cardamom until just stiff.
- Divide the milk mixture between 2 serving cups, then top with the whipped cream. Garnish with additional cubes of Turkish delight and the chopped pistachio nuts.
- Serve it with a spoon for eating unmelted (and delicious) lumps of candy at the bottom.
-- Recipe from Louise Pickford's "Hot Drinks" (Ryland, Peters & Small), we found it via the Seattle PI.
Reader Comments (30)
Ok.... where does one "come across a recipe for "Turkish Delight Frothy"?? Seriously?
I bought a box of turkish delight here in michigan that tasted like grandma's clothes.
But then I bought a box in Turkey, figuring that the real deal must be way better, and actually it was.
All that to say, those of you who hate turkish delight should try a different brand before permanently adding it to the list of things you never want to eat again, you never know, you could love it!
I lived in turkey when I was young, and grew up loving it...my parents would order it from seattle...it really is a delight :)
Do you have a good turkish delight recipe you could share?!?? :)
I have never heard of a turkish delight frothy...very interesting :)
I've had wonderfully yummy Turkish delight but I don't think I'd like this drink. Keep it simple seems to be the way to go when eating anything that's deemed a delight.
For as much as Turkish delight costs, I think I'd rather eat it as is than put it in a drink, but I like the sound of the other ingredients.
The last time I had Turkish delight it was flavored with rose water and I couldn't help but think I was eating edible soap! I do like the other flavors, but rose water might take some getting used to.
I totally felt the same way about Edmund with his Turkish Delight - just because I'm not a big fan of them(no offense to Turkish Delight lovers). Too bad the drink version wasn't worth much...well at least the photo looks good. Interesting recipe.
Growing us I had never heard of Turkish Delight outside of the Chronicles of Narnia. As I was highly enamored with the books, I developed a romantic notion of what this delightful treat must be like. I drooled over my imagining of it, and longed for the day I could experience it's splendor.
And then I finally found it in a fancy store. And while I didn't hate it, the little square in no way resembled my fantasy confection. Such is life
I do like turkish delight I requested a couple of boxes when my brother went on holiday to Turkey. I really like the sound of this drink :)
Sorry not been to visit for a week due to illness :(
Rosie x
I used to wonder what on earth the stuff was when I was little after reading The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe. Then I tried it and couldn't figure out why Edmund would be so into this Aplets & Cotlets type concoction.
This, however, sounds kinda yummy!
Lovely!!
I'm still not sure if I actually like Turkish Delight or if it is because of its connection to The Chronicles of Narnia and my own trip to the UK.
I'm not sure about these flavors in a drink, but they'd be terrific in rice pudding!
Throw in a shot of dark rum and I'm there!
: )
Throw in a shot of dark rum and I'm there!
: )
I may just have to surprise my Turkish friends with this recipe but, I'm not going to tell them where it came from or what it is until they have taken a sip. (two years ago I prepared their first Thanksgiving and they enticed me with a surprise sip of oozu I think it's called. WOW!)
As for me, I'm still in Mallomar mode...
How interesting...I'm with Amanda--maybe I'll try this with a little rum.
I m not a fan of turkish delight for me it tastes like perfume :) but this looks interesting :)wonder what it tastes like .
Beautiful!
I don't understand the "perfume" arguement myself. It tastes like Rosewater, which just happens to be a favourite of Perfumists.
Whatever. I'd have one.
i love turkish delight. but not as much as my husband whom whilst in turkey frequented the turkish delight shops (there are shops that only sell td!) sometimes three or four times a day. he will love this. you have no idea. thanks jesse!~
I love turkish delight. I'm not crazy about the rose variety I tried but I love the traditional. It's got such an interesting texture that I burst into giggles upon trying it the first time (at 24). Everyone kept asking what was so funny and all I could manage between gasps of air and chewing was "It....tastes...so...silly".
I'd probably adore this drink but will have to sub out soy or rice milk for the real deal.
Thanks for such an interesting article I'm a huge fan of the blog =)
As an adult, having tasted turkish delight and found it lacking in the delight department, I now choose to read the narnia reference as coded sexy times. How else could Edmund betray his siblings for a candy that tastes like dust-covered Dots? And it all ended so badly. Clearly, he was not ready for her jelly.
Note to self: Go buy Turkish Delight tomorrow!!!!
OMG I haven't had one in over two years at LEAST @_@ The last time I bought some for my cousin to try and she TOOK THE WHOLE BOX without asking ;_; Sad.
I can just picture Edmund chugging a glass of this with the White Witch!
I'm totally weirded out by your description of the texture! (Truthfully, I find the word "nougat" creepy in any context.) No delight for me!
OMG, since I read the Chronicles of Narnia I've been wanting to try Turkish Delights!
Thanks for the interesting recipe!
Naaaa, as much as I LOVE rosewater, honey, pistachios, and cardamom, I've never been a fan of this "delight".