Homemade Golden Syrup
With prices around 30TL in Kipa for Lyles Golden syrup, why not try making it yourself and it'll barely cost you a Lira!
The following makes around 250ml.
Ingredients:
- 400g sugar
- 200ml water
- 40ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method:
- Put the sugar and water together in a deep, heavy-based saucepan and swirl the pan to mix them gently. Turn the heat on to medium and bring the mixture to a boil, then add the lemon juice.
- When it comes back to the boil again, reduce the heat to low. DO NOT STIR! The mixture now needs to cook for about 45 minutes (without stirring) up to a temperature of 115C, before removing from the heat. Check the temperature with a sugar thermometer or, if you do not have one then you need to judge the readiness based on the consistency and colour: you are looking for something close to runny honey and it should be amber.
- Leave to cool then transfer to an airtight jar. The mixture will thicken a great deal further as it cools, but don't worry - if it is still too runny after cooling then you can always reheat and boil it for a little longer. Likewise if it is to thick and almost hard then just add a little more water, reheat and boil until the desired consistency is reached. The longer you cook it for the darker it will become, but if you keep the hob at low heat then you should reach the consistency you need before losing the amber colour.
Whilst cooking you can brush the sugar down and away from the sides of the pan to prevent crystallisation of the sugar, by using a brush dampened with water and brushing it gently around the edges.
The syrup will be ready for use after 1-2 days and can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.
Now you've made your Golden Syrup, why not put it to use and make some Ginger-nut biscuits?