{"id":7310,"date":"2021-07-25T21:20:52","date_gmt":"2021-07-25T21:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/?p=7310"},"modified":"2024-11-14T23:42:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T23:42:35","slug":"semsmieh-lebanese-sesame-candy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/semsmieh-lebanese-sesame-candy\/","title":{"rendered":"Semsmieh\/ Lebanese Sesame Candy"},"content":{"rendered":"

My history with \u201cSemsmieh\u201d has always been a love affair, it was one of thoses confections we always had around when I was a kid. I think it is time to branch out our blog with a good semsmieh recipe, or to be more accurate, I will show you two totally different versions of semsmieh,\u00a0the crispy hard bars and the soft chewy candy.\u00a0<\/strong>The beauty of both recipes is that they are super easy to make and are a fun\u00a0 project to impress people you serve them to! They are similar to a point that both are made on the stovetop and both include sesame seeds and sugar, but they are quite different in taste, texture and technique. Sesame seeds are packed with nutrients and are full of healthy fats and fibers \u2013 this makes semsmieh a better option than many other cookies and bars. Keep these two recipes in your repertoire, you will find yourself coming back here once you give them a try!<\/p>\n

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Version 1: The crispy hard sesame bars(semsmieh)<\/strong>\u00a0have that pleasant crunch in every bite, usually wrapped with cellophane papers. This is my late granny\u2019s recipe, there is something special about her old-fashioned recipes \u2013 grandmothers are wise and hold secret ingredients. I remember she would drop a plate at our house every time she makes semsmieh. A few days ago, I fondly craved those semsmieh bars and many other foods she made for us. Every bite filled me at once with nostalgia, to keep her spirt and memory alive, thought of sharing one of her great recipes with my readers. The crispy hard semsmieh can be easily whipped up in 20 minutes, and when they are prettily packaged, they make a great edible gift to people you care about; seriously, you will fall in love with these bites \u2013 guaranteed!<\/p>\n

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Version 2: The soft chewy sesame bars (semsmieh)<\/b>\u00a0are more like a nougat \u2013 earthy, sweet and nutty; another sesame candy that evokes distinctive childhood memories, years and years later nothing has changed! I would drive miles and make a trip from Beirut to Saida to buy the chewy semsmieh. There are many variations of sesame candy around the world, but these two recipes come from Lebanon and use few basic ingredients; both are so addictive, and both are so popular at our house. Every time I serve them, I hear a chorus of wows!<\/p>\n

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Now let\u2019s start with the crispy hard semsmieh<\/h2>\n

How to make the crispy hard semsmieh<\/h1>\n

Use white sesame seeds and lightly toast them<\/strong>. Transfer the sesame seeds to an oil-free skillet and cook over medium heat, observe closely and keep on stirring to avoid burning them . Set aside as soon as they put on a pale golden color. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Making the hard semsmieh is actually fairly easy, but before you get started, I highly recommend you get the following things prepared next to you, the sugar syrup hardens quickly, so no waste time here!<\/h3>\n