This past Christmas a friend gifted us a beautiful box full of homemade Pasteli. The minute I bit into the chewy, golden, Greek pastry I was hooked. I actually hid it away from the rest of my family and ate the entire box myself! Feeling a bit guilty I asked her for the recipe so I could make it and share the next time. This delicious candy consists of only two ingredients ~ honey and sesame seeds. With sesame seeds containing high amounts of vitamins and nutrients and honey being an antioxidant, Pasteli is the perfect energy bar. Eat it for breakfast, as a lunchbox snack, a mid day pick me up or for dessert.
Pasteli
~2/3 cup honey
~1 1/2 cup sesame seeds
Bring honey to a slow boil over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and cook until it reaches 270 degrees on a candy thermometer (hard ball stage) stirring frequently. Pour onto buttered parchment paper and cover with second sheet of buttered parchment. Using a wide dough scraper level to 1/4″. Cool completely. Oil the blades of kitchen shears and cut (through parchment and all) into bite size pieces.
*Nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, or almonds are also common in some versions of pasteli.
You can remove parchment paper and store in air tight container or use a patterned parchment and store with it on. It’s fun peeling it off individual pieces~ just like a candy wrapper!
Kari says
We used to buy this stuff at the candy store when I was growing up. Only it didn’t have an exotic name like that. Maybe it’s only a Canadian thing. I must see if I can still find some.
Kristen says
Funny question, the ceramic tumbler in this post do you know who made? It looks extremely familiar. I think I might have made it! Does it have a heart and kmd signed on the bottom?
amy says
Hi Kristen, I checked to see and there is no signature at all. Now that would have been funny!