Greek Sesame Seed Candy Food

GREEK SESAME HONEY CANDY (PASTELI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Bring the honey and lemon peel (if using) to a boil in a saucepan. Add the sesame seeds, stirring continuously. Continue to cook while stirring to mix completely and thoroughly.
• When the seeds are fully mixed in and the mixture has boiled again, remove the pan from the heat. Remove the lemon peel and discard it.
• Place a piece of baking parchment on a cool work surface and spread out the hot mixture thinly and evenly (about 1/4-inch deep).
• Cool the pasteli to room temperature before refrigerating it on the parchment paper (it doesn't need to be covered). Chill for at least 2 to 3 hours.
• Using kitchen shears , cut the pasteli together with parchment paper into small pieces, and serve.
• Peel off the parchment paper to eat. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can enjoy pasteli as a natural energy bar. Sesame seeds are high in protein, but also contain healthy oils and antioxidants. If you've become dependent on store-bought energy bars, these will have no additives, and you can ensure they are gluten free if that is a concern. One variation you might try is adding some crushed nuts to the mixture, such as pistachios. Or lightly toast some of the sesame seeds to add a roasted flavor.

GREEK SESAME SEED CANDY

Steps:

• Put bakeware liner in a large shallow baking pan (1 inch deep). Remove bottom of springform pan and set aside. Oil inside of springform ring with vegetable oil and put ring, upside down, in center of bakeware liner.
• Bring honey, sesame seeds, and salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, then boil undisturbed until mixture registers 280 to 290°F on thermometer, about 15 minutes.
• Holding ring in place, quickly pour mixture into ring, then cool on a rack until candy is set but still warm, about 40 minutes. Unmold by peeling ring with candy off bakeware liner. Transfer candy to a cutting board, then run a paring knife around edge of springform ring and lift ring off candy. Cut candy into 1-inch pieces with an oiled large knife.

PASTELI - GREEK SESAME & HONEY CANDY!

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring honey and lemon peel to a boil. Add sesame seeds stirring continuously and continue to cook while stirring to mix completely and thoroughly. When the seeds are fully mixed in and the mixture has boiled again, remove from heat. Remove and discard lemon peel.
• Place a large sheet of parchment on a flat work surface.
• Carefully pour the honey mixture onto the paper to form a square or rectangle about 1/2" thick. Lightly sprinkle the paper with rose water & cover with half of the sesame seeds.
• Dip a spatula into rose water or oil and press down the pasteli then. Cover the surface with the remaining sesame seeds and press them into the pasteli with the spatula.
• (Instead of pouring straight onto the paper you can use a lightly oiled jelly / jam roll tin, then follow the rest of the instructions.).
• Allow to cool slightly - do not leave too long or it will become impossible to cut!. Once firm, cut into squares or diamonds and allow to cool properly.
• Wrap each piece individually in small pieces of waxed paper and store in an airtight container.

GREEK PASTELI (SESAME SEED & HONEY SNACKS)

Steps:

• In a heavy pan, bring the honey and water to "firm ball stage" (130 degrees C/250 degrees F).
• Take off the heat and stir in the sesame seeds and lemon zest.
• On a flat marble surface (or metal trays moistened with water, or a layer of parchment) spread the mixture evenly with a spatula or knife (or try a rolling pin) to 1 cm (1/4 inch) thickness.
• Before it cools, cut into squares (try a pizza cutter).
• When it is completely cool, wrap the squares in waxed paper and store in a covered container.