TAHINI HALVA

Tahini halva is a simple (vegan) dessert made with as few as 5 ingredients. The main ingredient of this halva is tahini paste which is sesame seeds ground into a paste. 

It's the best to have a candy thermometer for this recipe because the syrup needs to be boiled, then brought up to 250º F (120 C) exactly. Without the thermometer, you won’t know the exact temperature and wrong temperature can ruin your halva. So please, before preparing this halva, get yourself a candy thermometer.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 and 1/2 cups tahini paste at room temperature (available in most stores)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional for richer taste: 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, or your favorite nuts) or chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Line a loaf pan (8,5 inch by 4,5 inch (21cm x 11 cm)) with parchment paper. To avoid moving of the paper, water the pan first.
2. Put the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. When it starts to boil, insert a candy thermometer to check the temperature. Remove the syrup from the heat once it reaches 250 °F in about 7-10 minutes of boiling.
3. Stir together the tahini, salt, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. If you add chocolate or nuts, add them now and stir together.
4. Carefully add the warm syrup to the tahini mixture and fold together until just combined. Don't overmix halva, it may dry out and start do crumble.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan or in suitable molds as desired. Leave to cool completely. Keep in fridge.
6. Serve halva in slices.