Sesame Squares Recipes

GREEK HONEY SESAME BARS (PASTELI RECIPE)

Steps:

• To prepare this Greek honey sesame bars (Pasteli) recipe start by toasting the sesame seeds. Place a frying pan over high heat and add the sesame seeds. Toast them for 2-3 minutes until golden (not too brown). Remove the sesame seeds from the pan and set aside. Continue with the rest of the recipe quickly, so that the sesame seeds remain hot. Alternatively you can spread the sesame seeds in a pan and toast them in the oven at 180-190C (375F).
• In the same pan add the honey and bring to a boil, until it starts to foam. Remove the foam using a spatula, turn down the heat to medium and let it simmer until its temperature has reached 125C/260F. If you don't have a thermometer, take a bowl of cold water and drip in a teaspoon of the honey syrup. Let it cool down for a few seconds then shape it into a small ball using your fingers. Take it out of the water and drop it on your work surface. If it sounds like it is solid, the honey syrup is done.
• Its now time to add the remaining ingredients for your pasteli. Add a pinch of salt and the toasted sesame seeds and stir for about 10 minutes over medium heat, using a wooden spatula. The mixture should thicken considerably and stick to the spatula.
• Remove the pan from the heat, add the lemon zest and stir.
• Line a round pan (22cm/ 8.5 inch. diameter) with parchment paper and pour in the mixture. Be careful not to touch it, as it is very hot. Spread the mixture very well using a spoon.
• Let the pasteli cool down for about 20 minutes and them cut into portions. If you let it cool completely then it would be harder to cut into pieces.

SESAME ALMOND SQUARES

Steps:

• Preaheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place graham crackers side by side in ungreased jelly roll pan,(Make sure to use pan size called for; Crackers should cover entire pan with NO spaces in between) I lined the pan with release foil, this way the graham crackers fit really good in the pan.
• In a 1-quart saucepan, combine butter and sugar; heat to boiling over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, Boil 2 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.
• Spread mixture evenly over graham crackers; sprinkle with almonds and sesame seeds.
• Bake 18 to 19 minutes or until graham crackers are slightly brown and butter bubbles and turns golden; WATCH CAREFULLY during the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking to make sure graham crackers do not over brown.
• Note: my cookies were done in 16 minutes.
• While cookies are still in pan, with knife, IMMEDIATLY cut each graham cracker crosswise in half.
• With metal spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
• Store cookies in tightly covered container, with wax paper between layers,in refrigerator up to 1 month or freeze up to 3 months.

SESAME SEED SQUARES

Steps:

• In saucepan, heat honey and peanut butter. Add powdered milk, coconut, and sesame seeds. Mix and pat into an 8x8 inch square pan. Refrigerate to set and cut into cubes. These are no-bake cookies.

CHOCOLATE-SESAME CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• Line a rimmed 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment or wax paper.
• In a food processor, pulse cereal until just broken into bits; do not process into a powder. Transfer to a large bowl.
• In the top of a double boiler, combine chocolate and tahini. Stir over simmering water until melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt in the microwave, using short bursts of low heat.
• Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir together quickly.
• For bars, spread mixture in the prepared pan. It should be about 1/2-inch thick; you may need to push the mixture toward one end and level it if it does not quite fill the pan. For rounds, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto prepared pan and use the back of the spoon to form into circles. Refrigerate until hardened, about 2 hours.
• To serve, cut into bars or squares, or serve rounds as cookies. Any extras can be crumbled and used as an ice cream topping. Store in the refrigerator.