Sesame-Nut Crunch With Yogurt

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Photo: MARIA ROBLEDO
Servings:
4

For an exotic dessert, try this Middle Eastern brittle served over yogurt.

Ingredients

  • Two 16-ounce containers plain yogurt

  • 1 cup unhulled sesame seeds

  • 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds, shelled

  • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons unblanched whole almonds

  • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons shelled pistachio nuts

  • 1 cup honey

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar

  • 4 star anise

  • 4 clove s

  • One 3-inch cinnamon stick

Directions

  1. Place yogurt in a sieve lined with cheesecloth, and set over a medium bowl; wrap ends of cheesecloth over yogurt, place a weight such as a few soup cans on top, and drain in refrigerator 15 minutes.

  2. Combine sesame and pumpkin seeds with nuts; set aside. Oil a 9-by-13-inch pan; set aside. Pour 1/2 cup honey into a saucepan; sprinkle with sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves and temperature reads 320 degrees on candy thermometer, about 12 minutes.

  3. Add reserved nut mixture to syrup; quickly stir to combine. Pour mixture into prepared pan, and spread out with well-oiled offset spatula. Set pan on a wire rack to cool completely and harden.

  4. Pour remaining 1/2 cup honey into a saucepan; add star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. Place over low heat until warm, 5 to 6 minutes.

  5. Spoon yogurt among four serving dishes, drizzle with warm honey, and serve with the sesame crunch broken into pieces.

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