Sesame Seed Almond Bars

I've been thinking a lot about my 2015 goals and working on an 'in and out' list of everything I want to bring in and put out of my life next year (side note: I'll have a post so you can do it too!). One big, overarching theme I saw that I craved, and has made me happy in 2014, was purposeful simplicity. I know as we get closer to Christmas, everyone and their mother is going to be baking cookies and sweets. And if you take a look at Pinterest you're going to see three kinds of cookies stuffed into each other and topped with frosting. For me, that's too much. It makes me feel awful if I eat it and it kind of just overwhelms me to look at so much 'stuff' piled on one thing instead of letting the beauty of what it really is shine through. A cookie can look beautiful on it's own thank-you-very-much. 

So in this vein of purposeful simplicity, I want to share one of my favorite sweet treats that the husband and I love to have on hand. It's a little bit savory, nutty, crunchy and sweet rolled into one. More importantly....it's only three ingredients. These simple sesame bars are called pastelli and they'll blow your mind while you get a dose of minerals. 

I used to buy these from our international grocery store, but after reading the Kinfolk cook book I saw this recipe and I've been using it ever since!

Pastelli Sesame Seed Bars

from the Kinfolk Cook Book

/// Ingredients ///

• 1 c sesame seeds
• 1/3 c almonds, chopped or slivered
• 3 T honey

/// Directions /// Add sesame seeds and almonds to a pan on the stove set to medium heat. Toast, stirring constantly (to avoid burning). When the seeds are golden brown, remove from heat and add honey. Dump onto silpat or parchment paper on a pan and press into a square. Dampen your hands to press together and form. Freeze for an hour and cut into bars or squares. Store in the fridge.