Triangular Delights Recipes

BUDDHA'S DELIGHT

Steps:

• Soak mushrooms in 5 cups boiling-hot water in a bowl, keeping them submerged with a small plate and turning mushrooms over occasionally, until softened and cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes. Squeeze excess liquid from caps back into bowl and reserve liquid, then cut out and discard stems from mushrooms. Cut caps into 1-inch wedges.
• While mushrooms soak, carefully break bean curd skins in half crosswise, then halve each portion crosswise again. Transfer to a bowl, then add enough boiling-hot water to cover and soak, turning occasionally, until softened, about 30 minutes.
• If using fresh bamboo, trim bottoms of shoots, then halve shoots lengthwise with a sharp heavy knife. Pull off and discard leaves from shoots, then remove any blemishes with a sharp paring knife (don't worry about natural dotted pattern along base of shoots).
• Cover fresh or frozen bamboo with cold water by 1 inch in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse under cold water. Repeat boiling and rinsing, then arrange bamboo halves, cut sides down, on a cutting board and cut bamboo lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Soak noodles in cold water to cover until softened, about 5 minutes, then drain in colander and transfer to a bowl.
• Drain bean curd skins in colander. When cool enough to handle, squeeze dry and cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
• Halve tofu lengthwise, then cut each half crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Heat oil in a 5- to 6-quart wide heavy pot over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add mushrooms, bean curd skins, bamboo, and ginkgo nuts and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar and simmer 1 minute. Add reserved mushroom-soaking liquid and bring to a boil. Gently stir in tofu and soybean sprouts, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Gently stir in noodles and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Add romaine hearts (pot will be full) and turn to coat, then simmer, covered, until romaine is tender, about 5 minutes.

NON-EVIL TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• 1. Generously coat the baking sheet with cooking spray, and set it aside.
• 2. Make the sugar syrup: Combine the sugar, honey, water, and cream of tartar in a medium-size (4-quart) saucepan, and mix with the heatproof spatula to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, and insert the candy thermometer. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage), about 15 minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile (keeping an eye on the sugar syrup), make the cornstarch mixture: In a large (6-quart) saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, confectioners' sugar, water, and cream of tartar to combine. Once the sugar syrup reaches 250°F/121°C (firm ball stage), place the cornstarch mixture over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with the whisk; it will thicken and boil quickly, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, but leave the mixture on the hot burner; stir well a few times with a whisk, and set aside.
• 4. At this point, the sugar syrup should be close to 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage); when it reaches that temperature, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the cornstarch mixture. Stir well with the whisk to combine. Bring everything to a low boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook at a low simmer, stirring frequently with the spatula, until the mixture is thick and gluey and a light golden color, 30 to 45 minutes. Don't turn your back on it! You need to make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan with the spatula every few minutes to prevent scorching and lumps.
• 5. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flavorings: stir in the rosewater, pistachios, and food coloring (if using).
• 6. Wearing oven mitts, immediately pour the candy into the prepared baking sheet. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the candy to prevent it from forming a skin as it cools. Allow it to cool until it has set and is firm and cool to the touch, 6 to 8 hours.
• 7. Gently peel off the plastic wrap. Dust the cutting board with the confectioners' sugar. Run the tip of a paring knife between the candy and the sheet, and gently turn the candy out onto the prepared board.
• 8. Place the cornstarch mixture in a medium-size bowl. Generously coat a sharp chef's knife with cooking spray, and use a gentle slicing motion to cut the candy into 1-inch squares. Dredge the pieces in the cornstarch mixture until well coated.
• Store the Turkish delights, layered with wax paper, in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 1 month.

CHINESE DELIGHT

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Lightly grease a 9x4-inch loaf pan, line with plastic wrap, and grease the plastic wrap. Set aside.
• 2. Put the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
• 3. Bring 4 cups of water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the dates and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and spread the dates in a single layer on a cooling rack to dry.
• 4. Microwave the maltose on high heat until softened, about 40 seconds. Put the maltose, walnuts, dates, cinnamon, oil and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring vigorously, until the mixture is thick, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly in the pan, then transfer to the cake pan. Spread in an even layer and let cool completely and harden at room temperature.
• 5. To unmold, invert the candy onto a cutting board and peel off the plastic wrap. Cut into 1-inch cubes with a greased knife. The candies can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.

TRIANGULAR DELIGHTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, stir together the dill, garlic powder, oregano, paprika and olive oil. Brush onto one side of each tortilla. Use a pizza cutter, knife, or even scissors to cut the tortillas into wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted, 5 to 10 minutes.

MINT TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• Oil an 8-inch square baking pan and line with plastic wrap. Oil plastic wrap.
• In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and let soften. In another small bowl stir together 1/8 cup cold water and cornstarch.
• In a 4-quart heavy kettle stir together remaining 1 1/4 cups cold water, granulated sugar, and mint and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in gelatin and cornstarch mixtures and boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula, 10 minutes (mixture will be very thick). Stir in food coloring. Pour mixture into baking pan, smoothing top with spatula, and cool. Chill confection, loosely covered, until set, about 4 hours.
• Sift 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar onto a work surface. Invert confection onto sugar and peel off plastic wrap. Cut confection into 1/8-inch cubes. Sift remaining confectioners' sugar over cubes and toss to coat. Wrap cubes in parchment paper (do not use wax paper, plastic wrap, or airtight containers because confections will weep) and chill. Turkish delight may be made 2 weeks ahead and kept chilled, wrapped in parchment paper.
• Just before serving, recoat Turkish delight in additional confectioners' sugar.

TRIANGULAR DELIGHTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, stir together the dill, garlic powder, oregano, paprika and olive oil. Brush onto one side of each tortilla. Use a pizza cutter, knife, or even scissors to cut the tortillas into wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted, 5 to 10 minutes.

TRIANGULAR DELIGHTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, stir together the dill, garlic powder, oregano, paprika and olive oil. Brush onto one side of each tortilla. Use a pizza cutter, knife, or even scissors to cut the tortillas into wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted, 5 to 10 minutes.