Sesame Knots Food

GARLIC KNOTS, GREAT FOR A CROWD!

Steps:

• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F Lightly oil 2 large (17- by 13-inch) baking sheets.
• Divide dough in half. Keep half of dough covered with a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth). Gently roll out other half into a 10-inch square on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin. (Use your hands to pull corners. If dough is very elastic, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest about 3 minutes.).
• Cut square in half with a pizza wheel or a sharp heavy knife, then cut each half crosswise into 15 strips (about 2/3 inch wide). Cover strips with a clean kitchen towel.
• Keeping remaining strips covered, gently tie each strip into a knot, pulling ends slightly to secure (if dough is sticky, dust lightly with flour) and arranging knots 1 inch apart in staggered rows on 1 baking sheet. Keep knots covered with clean kitchen towels.
• Roll out and cut remaining dough, then form into knots, arranging 1 inch apart in staggered rows on second baking sheet. Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, 20 to 25 minutes total.
• While knots bake, mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt, then stir together with oil in a very large bowl.
• Immediately after baking, toss knots in garlic oil, then sprinkle with parsley and cheese and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SESAME COCONUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats).
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add flour a half cup at a time, mixing on low speed until well combined.
• Remove bowl from mixer; with a wooden spoon or your hands, stir in coconut, sesame seeds, and pecans. Divide dough into thirds. Roll into logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log in plastic, and refrigerate until very firm, about 2 hours.
• Using a sharp knife, cut logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Transfer to prepared baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool. Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets before transferring cookies to wire racks to cool completely.