{"id":"lokum_07149b7053","slug":"lokum-turkish-delight","title":"Lokum (Turkish Delight)","description":"A classic, chewy Mediterranean confection dusted with powdered sugar and flavored with aromatic rosewater. This traditional recipe creates a soft, jelly-like texture that melts in the mouth.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":80},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 cups granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":800,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 1/2 cups water (for syrup)","name":"Water","quantity":355,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for sugar syrup","group":"syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice","name":"Lemon juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cup cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":125,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"starch_paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 teaspoon cream of tartar","name":"Cream Of Tartar","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"starch_paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 cup water (for starch)","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"to mix with cornstarch","group":"starch_paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 tablespoons rosewater","name":"Rosewater","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"flavoring","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)","name":"Sugar","quantity":120,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"powdered","notes":"for dusting","group":"coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/4 cup cornstarch (for dusting)","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"for dusting","group":"coating","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil it with a neutral-flavored oil.","group":"Prep","title":"Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, stop stirring and use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Cook until it reaches 240°F (115°C).","group":"Syrup","title":"Combine the sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, and lemon juice","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Syrup"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a separate large, heavy-bottomed pot, whisk together the cornstarch, cream of tartar, and 1 cup of water until smooth. Place over medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens into a translucent, glue-like paste.","group":"Starch Base","title":"Whisk together the cornstarch, cream of tartar, and 1 cup of water","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Starch Base"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the cornstarch paste, whisking vigorously to ensure a smooth texture. Once fully combined, reduce heat to low.","group":"Combine","title":"Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Combine"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Simmer the mixture on low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula. The mixture should become very thick, tacky, and turn a pale amber color.","group":"Cooking","title":"Simmer the mixture","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove from heat. Stir in the rosewater and a drop of pink food coloring if desired. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.","group":"Flavoring","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Flavoring"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Let the Lokum set at room temperature for at least 8 to 12 hours (overnight). Do not refrigerate.","group":"Setting","title":"Let the Lokum set","timerMinutes":720,"sourceTitle":"Setting"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Whisk together the powdered sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch. Dust a clean surface with this mixture. Invert the pan to release the Lokum, cut into 1-inch squares with an oiled knife, and toss each piece in the sugar mixture until fully coated.","group":"Finishing","title":"Whisk together the powdered sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure you simmer the mixture long enough; it should be thick and pale amber to set properly. For variations, you can add chopped pistachios or walnuts at the same time as the flavoring.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["8x8 inch baking pan","Parchment paper","Candy thermometer","Heavy-bottomed saucepan","Large pot","Whisk","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegan","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"piece","note":"Cut into 1-inch squares"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Lokum can be made several days in advance and stored at room temperature."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature between layers of parchment paper. Do not refrigerate as it will become sticky.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flokum_07149b7053%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=37b1c15b-0182-409d-a744-67f1b4b0550a","imageAlt":"Lokum (Turkish Delight) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lokum","turkish delight","candy","confectionery","rosewater","middle eastern sweets"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lokum (Turkish Delight)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:01:43.265Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:01:43.265Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}