Chinese Delight
- 2 tablespoons canola, vegetable, or other neutral oil, plus more for greasing the pan
- 3 cups (11 1/8 ounces/314 grams) walnut halves
- 9 (7 ounces/200 grams) dried dates, preferably Medjool or Barhi, pitted
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (22 1/4 ounces/632 grams) maltose
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1.
- Preheat the oven to 300F.
- 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.
canola, walnut halves, dates, salt, maltose, ground cinnamon
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chinese-delight-241654 (may not work)