Halvah

Halvah is a delicious Middle Eastern treat which is usually made with sesame seeds.  Using sesame seeds it is quite delicious but I've mixed it up and made this sweet treat using almond meal and tahini.  They turned out really well and pair perfectly with Baked Falafel and Sprouted Hummus for a complete feast.  Omitting the carob powder is absolutely possible if you don't like it or don't have it on hand.  It is also possible to use cocoa powder instead of carob powder.

Yields: 20 balls

Ingredients:

11/2 cup almond meal 

1/2 cup raw tahini

3 tbsp honey 

1 tsp vanilla (alcohol free variety)

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp carob powder

1. To create the almond meal, put 11/2 cups almonds into a food processor or nut/coffee grinder and process until finely ground.  

2.  To create carob powder, place carob chips into a coffee grinder and process until the carob chips are powder.  

3. In a medium bowl, add the almond meal, tahini, honey and vanilla.  Mix well.  Take half of this mixture and press onto a plate or pan until it is about 1/4" thick.  Don't worry about filling the pan or plate, just press to achieve an even thickness.

4.  Add carob powder into remaining dough.  Mix well.  Add carob mixture on top of vanilla mixture and press until the carob mixture is about 1/4" thick.  The best way to do this is to take the carob mixture in your hands and press until it is the right thickness and then lay on top of the vanilla mixture.

5.  Chill this lovely two layer mix for about an hour.  Then pull it from the refrigerator, cut bite-size pieces and roll them into balls.  Continue until all the dough is gone and you are done!  Enjoy!

✌ YUM