Turkish cuisine · Desserts & Sweets

Tahini Halva

Firm sesame halva made from tahini and hot sugar syrup, streaked with pistachios and cut into slices.

Ingredients · for 8 servings

• 400 g tahini
• 400 g sugar
• 120 ml water
• 80 g pistachios
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions

1. Line a small loaf pan with parchment paper; roughly chop the pistachios; stir the tahini smooth in a bowl and warm to about 40 °C with salt and vanilla so it won't seize later.
2. Bring the sugar, water and lemon juice to a boil in a pot without stirring and boil over medium heat for 8–10 min. until the syrup reaches 120 °C and a drop in cold water forms a soft ball.
3. Stir the hot syrup into the warm tahini in a thin stream, mixing briskly but evenly with a wooden spoon until the mixture turns pale and stretchy.
4. After 2–3 min. run only a few coarse strokes through the mixture — the characteristic strands form when you stop stirring it smooth.
5. Work in the chopped pistachios with two cuts, fill the mixture into the pan and press down firmly with the parchment paper.
6. Let set at room temperature for at least 4 hrs., then turn out and cut into finger-thick slices with a sharp knife.