Cyprus

CYPRUS: Pasteli

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sesame seeds
⅓ cup pistachios (optional), cut in halves
½ cup honey
1 inch lemon peel
1 teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup sugar 

DIRECTIONS:

Add sesame seeds to pan and cook over low to medium heat until lightly golden brown. Once done, remove from heat, and empty seeds onto plate to stop them from getting too dark, set aside.

Add honey, lemon peel, lemon juice, and sugar to a pot. Heat over medium heat until simmering, stir continuously for 5 minutes.

Turn of heat and immediately add sesame seeds and pistachios to honey and mix well.

Empty onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Flatten with back of spatula brushed with olive oil to avoid sticking.

Once it is semi-hard remove and cut into bars or desired shapes.

(pro tip: wrap each bar in parchment paper and store in container in fridge).