Turkish Delight

My sister and I went to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when it came out in the movies in 2005 (because we love the Narnia books and the BBC series from back in the 80s.) During the scene in which Edmund demands Turkish Delight from the White Witch in return for betraying his siblings my sister (Amanda) turned to me asked,

"What is Turkish Delight, anyway?"
"I have no idea, though it must be good if it turns you against your family."

Then I moved to LA and near my apartment was near Sunland Produce, an awesome Armenian market with shockingly fresh, yet cheap, produce, as well as a variety of other goodies. They also sold Turkish Delight and, giggling at the irony, I bought some to take back to Maryland for a visit. My sisters (Katy and Amanda) and I gorged ourselves on the gummy goodness held within, though we were taken aback by the rose-flavored cubes; they just weren't doing it for us. Then I left California, and eventually the States, where I was forced to focus on other things, such as, "Oh my god, I hope this boda-boda doesn't kill me."

Dondurma - Turkish Ice

Ramadan mubarek!  Ramadan ended yesterday, Kuwait is in the throes of Eid celebrations and the weather is slowly beginning its turn to the pleasantness of a desert fall.  However, while Seth and I can enjoy a night outside, watching the waves, it's still hot enough to send us back to the A/C in about 15 minutes. Still, this weather makes me want something cold, but not just a chilled soda - something with substance. Not ice cream -- too rich and I have never been much of a fan, plus I don't own an ice cream maker.  I could make a granita - I have before - but they don't do it for me - too icy, too crunchy, too blech. Fortunately I was browsing through one of my cookbooks the other day and found a recipe for Turkish dondurma.  The picture looked just like the Italian ice in little cups sold by the ice cream truck and was just what I wanted: cold, tart, refreshing, yet delectably soft and easy.