Edible Souveniers

Edible souvenirs are my favourite keepsakes from a trip.  Something consumable that does not collect dust or require a new shelf to perch on, but rather a taste that connects me to a happy memory from some newly discovered place.

Second only to unpacking and laundry, I usually come home and start cooking or baking at least one edible souvenir I would like to recreate at home.  

After our recent cottage stay on Georgian Bay, the Honey-Tahini-Sesame cookies from Grounded Coffee Co. in Midland stuck with me.

Grounded served up a delicious cup of coffee in a comfortable, thoughtfully designed cafe.  The staff were knowledgeable about their coffee and roasting ,which was done onsite on a 30-year old analog roaster, and happy to chat about their business and practices.  All of their beans are fairly traded and organic, and much of their supply comes from cafe femenino cooperatives.

I highly recommend a visit if you are passing through Midland, ON.  Excellent coffee, baked goods, light lunch, fresh smoothies, and some local organic produce.  

Without their proprietary, secret recipe, this is my best attempt at the Honey-Tahini-Sesame Cookies - soft and not overly sweet, these unique cookies are reminiscent of sesame snaps, but rounder...and chewier! Seriously addictive, but easy to convince yourself one more couldn't hurt as they contain no flour, no refined sugar, and no butter!

With a little help from the internet and my tastebuds' memory, I started with this recipe from Food and Wine, then added a few of my own tweaks.

1 1/2 cups almond meal/flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup sesame seeds (I used a mixture of black and white)
1/3 cup tahini paste
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Simply mix the tahini, honey, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle with almond meal, salt, baking soda, and cardamom.

Mix well to combine thoroughly.

Form into balls and roll generously in sesame seeds.

Flatten slightly and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until just starting to brown at the edges.  Do not over-bake.

Put on a coffee press or two and call your friends to share.  Delicious.

Makes 12 cookies