The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was written by C.S. Lewis and has been part of literary history since 1950. A synopsis can be found C.S. Lewis --Wikipedia.
Early in the book, one of the Characters, Edmund is drawn to the dark side under the control of the White Witch. Narnia is populated by magical talking creatures. Some are under her control, and the others under the power of Aslan, a lion who leads them.
A Grief Observed, just a few) gave a view of man's struggles.
But, the oddest part of it all is the importance and symbolism of Turkish Delight.
The recipe above explains so much to me, why I do not like Turkish Delight: it is the rosewater, which must be used cautiously or it is overwhelming.
But why did CS Lewis choose this as the food of downfall and addiction for poor Edmund. It does taste awful to most people of this generation. But, in WW2, confections were almost impossible to obtain. For some reason, this was appreciated. This was possible to make for some reason, certainly labor intensive. But to CS Lewis it had a connection to happy memories of childhood.
It took him to before war and what it did eventually. This was a way of sharing the desperate situation where children were taken from parents in London and relocating them to rural areas. Turkish Delight was a treat for him then, and apparently it was as the book progressed.
Directions:
INGREDIENTS
▢2 cups sugar
▢3/4 cup water
▢1/8 tsp. citric acid or lemon juice or cream of tartar
▢1/2 cup water
▢5/8 cup cornstarch
▢Rose flavor to taste- rose water, syrup, or oil
▢Red coloring (optional)
▢extra cornstarch for dusting
The directions are insane. Follow the step-by-step from the video above.
CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, Turkish Delight, White Witch, Aslan the Lion, Four Children of Eve, Good vs. Evil: all great elements. Good luck on this venture of making this treat, but most all is to read this series, made known by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Narnia chronicles as a child, and reread them at a deeper level now.
ReplyDeleteTurkish delight? Bleah. Except that my partner brought back some 'real' Turkish Delight after one of his trips to that country. It is an entirely different (and delicious) treat.
Growing up in Sweden, I missed many of these books. I still haven't read this one, so can't comment too much, except that one reason I enjoy blogging is that I often learn about things on the blogs. So thanks for that.
DeleteI don't really like Turkish Delight either and yes, it's due to the rosewater.
ReplyDeleteI swore at one time that it was dish soap.
DeleteI'm not a fan of rosewater, either. But I understand there is a candy called Aplets and Cotlets sold mailorder that is based on Turkish Delight but a lot more accessible to American tastes. I've had it but it's been a long time. One of my husband's aunts (who died last year at the age of 107) absolutely loved Aplets and Cotlets. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteTake away the rosewater, and it is a whole new ballgame.
DeleteMy second grandson watched the movie and constantly asked me to make him Turkish Delight. I had no recipe so he didn't get it. With your permission I am going to send him the recipe. He is 25 years old now so he can make his own.
ReplyDeleteInstead of using rosewater, use citrus flavors (orange ext. is good). I just ordered some multi flavor T.Delight from Amazon. It has all flavors. expect a report sometime in the future.
DeleteI love turkish delight but no one in my family does. That was an excellent film.
ReplyDeleteIt was. It was a great way to ease into the series.
DeleteYou just don't picture it tasting like that. I guess it's the word turk that throws it off. I think turkey.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't gobble, but it is from Turkey. Exotic.
DeleteNever heard of it before. I saw rosewater made once. That's labor intensive all on its own.
ReplyDeleteThat is not a surprise.
DeleteYouand the cook are not salespeople dat is for certain. LOL And yes I have enjoyed CS Lewis. I have also heard him quoted as if his words were hevenly inspired, which some probably were.
ReplyDeleteLove ya and thanks for the education, I do not think I ever heard of a Turkish Delight (that I remember), but then I don't remember enjoying too much of the food in Turkey.
Sherry & jack dodging the rain in Florida
CS Lewis was a devout Christian, and led many of his intellectual friends to Christ.
Delete"Heavenly inspired..." I meant. ;-(
ReplyDeleteI figured it out, Jack!
DeleteOh, I love turkish delight! I understand your rosewater objection, though - too much and it tastes like soap.
ReplyDeleteI had thought a decade ago or so that I would try making it, but after seeing the hours and hours it would take, crossed it off my list.
DeleteI have The Chronicles of Narnia on one of my bookshelves but haven't read it in quite some time, so I don't remember any reference to Turkish Delight. I used to love turkish delight, but over the years I've tasted so many that aren't quite right, far too much rosewater, and one that was lemon flavoured. I don't buy it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe directions were amazingly hard. Whoever had to make this (probably a young lady in the kitchen of the manor house.)
DeleteThank you for this interesting article, Susan. Don't like Turkish Delight very much.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I wondered if the English like/dislike it.
DeleteHi Susan - I'd forgotten about CS Lewis' Turkish Delight ... interesting you write about it today ... while I wrote about it at the end of last month in relation to the Tamarisk plant that grows around here ... where I see you commented, but not about Turkish Delight ... just about our damp weather. I couldn't face eating that version of sweet ... way too sickly. Thanks for highlighting The Chronicles connection ... all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI just rec'd an order of random flavored Turkish Delight, because I have wondered for decades. No judgment of yet!
DeleteThe first time I heard of Narnia was at a flower show where they had a display of the witch and the lion in a huge 1 acre display by a local landscaper. The hills and valleys were amazing. Of course, I still had NO idea what Narnia meant.
ReplyDeleteNarnia at a flower shower! Oh how marvelous.
DeleteIt has been awhile since I read this. I do not think that I had ever had Turkish Delight. I am curious about it. Admittedly, it does not look spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThis post got me interested in Turkish delight, so I bought some, without the rose water, citrus flavoring instead. Meh.
DeleteThe one time i tried Turkish Delight, i really enjoyed it, but it had been imported from Turkey, so perhaps they make it with a lighter hand.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, good question.
DeleteBought some from Amazon. This is a mixed tin of citrus flavored (orange and lemon) and it is actually tasty! Yay!