Candied Buddha’s Hand

Candied Buddha's hand is a delightful treat that adds a touch of elegance to any dessert or can be eaten as is. The first recipe we tried resulted in bitter candied Buddha’s Hand. we were really surprised as when raw, it wasn’t bitter. That recipe didn’t require the Buddha’s hand to be boiled first to remove any bitterness. The below recipe requires boiling and draining twice, resulting in yummy candy.

Ingredients:

• 1 Buddha's hand
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar

Method:

1. Using a sharp knife, cut the peel into small chunks (as per photo). Use as much of the hand as possible, except the hard white pith towards the bottom of the hand.
2. In a saucepan, combine water and Buddha’s Hand. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute.
3. Turn off and leave to sit for 5 mins.
4. Drain and then repeat step 2.
5. Drain.
6. In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add the Buddha's Hand and simmer for another 15-25 minutes.
8. Pour a couple of drops of the syrup off the back of a spoon into a glass of cold water.
9. When the syrup is ready it will form ribbons/threads in the water. If you can make a soft ball, you have cooked the candy for too long and it could be too hard. Add some water and re-boil.
10. Remove from heat and let the candied peel cool completely in the syrup.
11. Drain the peel and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
12. Enjoy your candied Buddha's hand on their own, or use them to garnish cakes, ice cream, yogurt – the possibilities are endless!

So next time you come across a Buddha's Hand, don't be intimidated by its unusual looks. Embrace its unique qualities and discover a world of flavour and fragrance waiting to be explored.