Greek Island Candy Recipes

GREEK SESAME HONEY CANDY (PASTELI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Bring the honey and lemon peel (if using) to a boil in a saucepan. Add the sesame seeds, stirring continuously. Continue to cook while stirring to mix completely and thoroughly.
• When the seeds are fully mixed in and the mixture has boiled again, remove the pan from the heat. Remove the lemon peel and discard it.
• Place a piece of baking parchment on a cool work surface and spread out the hot mixture thinly and evenly (about 1/4-inch deep).
• Cool the pasteli to room temperature before refrigerating it on the parchment paper (it doesn't need to be covered). Chill for at least 2 to 3 hours.
• Using kitchen shears , cut the pasteli together with parchment paper into small pieces, and serve.
• Peel off the parchment paper to eat. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can enjoy pasteli as a natural energy bar. Sesame seeds are high in protein, but also contain healthy oils and antioxidants. If you've become dependent on store-bought energy bars, these will have no additives, and you can ensure they are gluten free if that is a concern. One variation you might try is adding some crushed nuts to the mixture, such as pistachios. Or lightly toast some of the sesame seeds to add a roasted flavor.

GREEK SESAME SEED CANDY

Steps:

• Put bakeware liner in a large shallow baking pan (1 inch deep). Remove bottom of springform pan and set aside. Oil inside of springform ring with vegetable oil and put ring, upside down, in center of bakeware liner.
• Bring honey, sesame seeds, and salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, then boil undisturbed until mixture registers 280 to 290°F on thermometer, about 15 minutes.
• Holding ring in place, quickly pour mixture into ring, then cool on a rack until candy is set but still warm, about 40 minutes. Unmold by peeling ring with candy off bakeware liner. Transfer candy to a cutting board, then run a paring knife around edge of springform ring and lift ring off candy. Cut candy into 1-inch pieces with an oiled large knife.

GREEK ISLAND CANDY

Steps:

• 1. Brown whole pecans in 1/2 stick margarine; drain pecans. Combine all other ingredients with pecans. Bring to a boil and boil hard for three minutes. Remove from heat and beat until creamy and thick (it will lose its shine) enough to drop on wax paper by teaspoonful. ENJOY!!! (The pecans are not chopped; keep whole)

MIJA (GREEK CANDY)

Steps:

• Cook all ingredients except chocolate bars over high heat in heavy pan.
• Stir constantly until amber or brown, DO NOT BURN.
• Pour into buttered 9 X 13 inch pan.
• While still hot place 7 Hershey bars on top, spread after melted.
• Cool and crack.