Sesame Honey Sticks

Two ingredients. That’s it. Sesame seeds and honey come together in this ancient Greek candy called pasteli, and the result is something so addictive you’ll wonder why you ever bought granola bars.

You toast the seeds, boil the honey to the light crack stage, stir them together, and press the mixture into a buttered pan. Score it while it’s hot, let it cool, and you’ve got snappy little sticks with a golden crunch and that deep floral sweetness only real honey can deliver.

They keep for weeks in a plastic bag, which makes them a fantastic homemade gift or lunchbox treat. Just watch that honey closely on the stove. It goes from bubbling to burnt in the blink of an eye.

Chef Tips

• Use a candy thermometer. Hitting the light crack stage is the difference between chewy-good and sticky-mess. Don’t guess.
• Score immediately while the candy is still hot and pliable. Once it cools, it hardens and trying to cut it will shatter the whole slab.
• Try different honeys for completely different flavors. Wildflower honey gives an earthy depth, while orange blossom adds a citrusy brightness.