maleficent

Since you mentioned middle eastern, my memory banks took me back to my childhood and the armenian lady down the street who taught me how to make this really tasty candy - it's got the consistency of a fudge - but no chocolate... and it does cut into perfect squares...

There's an Armenian (I think -- at least that was who taught me how to make it) candy called Lookhum (or something like that... It might also be turkish... )

1/2 cup cornstarch
8 cups sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
8 cups hot water
3 drops Bergamot oil (available at most healthfood stores, just m ake sure it's the edible variety and not just the aromatherapy - if you can't find it - orange blossom water, or even orange extract would work just as good)
1 1/2 cups chopped pistachio nuts or almonds [optional]
Powdered sugar (this is where you could use the cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar)

Mix cornstarch and sugar in a large pan. Add the lemon juice and water and cook over medium heat until the liquid becomes thickened and a lightly golden in color. (Note, this gets super hot, DO NOT touch this liquid, you will burn yourself.. DO NOT lick the spoon either) If I were a candy making expert, I'd say it had to get to a certain temp or that softcrack or whatever stage -Id on't have a clue about candy making - go for the color.. that's what mrs a used to do...

Turn the heat down to low and cook for 2 hours. At about 1 hour and 45 minutes, add the Bergamot oil and the chopped nuts (if you are using them).

Now, pour the hot liquid into a buttered pyrex pan (a glass pan) to cool the you can tell the right consistency when the liquid jells and separates from the sides of the pan and forms a large ball.

Spread these contents into another buttered pyrex pan and let cool. When cool, cut into 1 inch squares and sprinkle the candy generously with powdered sugar or cocoa...

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