Perfect Endings.
Even after a large meal, I still want closure (i.e. something sweet) but not a thick slab of cake or a banana split. A single piece of chocolate will do. Or a cookie.
When we were in Morocco, dinners were so good that we ate every bite, and never ordered dessert. But, at one restaurant, Darori Resto in Fez, a small plate of cookies came out from the kitchen without our asking. (The directional sign to Darori Resto is below – bottom left. The most faded of the signs.)
I took one, just to be polite of course. And then a second, because they were so incredibly good. They were a sesame shortbread called Ghoriba Bahla; they are earthy and somewhat savory, yet sweet enough to satisfy my need for closure.
I know I have not perfectly recreated the cookies we had, but I’m really pleased with my creation and I think you will like them, too. It took a while to get the flavor just right. The trick, I found, was to use Chinese sesame paste, which is a bit more coarse than tahini, and I substituted toasted sesame oil for some of the butter to heighten the flavor a bit.
~ David
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Mad Dog
June 22, 2024 at 5:50 amThey look delicious – I love sesame!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 7:29 amThanks, Mad Dog.
Barb
June 22, 2024 at 7:22 amVery interesting cookies, I like that they have such a small amount of sugar.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 7:30 amThe older I get (and that seems ro be happening much quicker than I would like!), the more I prefer less sweet desserts. Thanks, Barb, and I know I owe you an email.
Barb
June 22, 2024 at 7:40 amNo problem, I know you have been extremely busy creating the wonderful posts of your trip to France.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 7:53 amThanks — I appreciate it! I’ve also been doing s lot of freelance graphic design this past week — I forgot how much time it takes!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
June 22, 2024 at 7:54 amI’m like you and have a cookie or small dark chocolate after dinner. I’m sure I would like your not too sweet dessert.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 9:07 amThanks, Karen — I do believe every meal needs closure but it doesn’t need to be big.
Carolyn Niethammer
June 22, 2024 at 8:10 amThese seem great. Since you are in Tucson, you must have purchased the Chinese sesame paste here. What to do with the rest of it? More cookies? (I can see adding a little mesquite powder).
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 9:08 amI get the Chinese sesame paste at Lee Lee, Carolyn. I use it for sesame noodles — it’s wonderful. I like the idea of a bit of mesquite flour in these. A perfect touch.
Inger
June 22, 2024 at 8:40 amLove this! Have you tried grinding your own sesame seeds?
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 9:08 amNot yet, but I will!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
June 22, 2024 at 8:42 amI’ll be trying these soon, David. Know I’ll love them! Years ago I posted my Tahini Cookie recipe that I had developed to use up the rest of a jar of tahini after making hummus or baba ghanoush. Love that cookie, but this one is entirely different. With eggs, mine is a cookie; without, yours is a shortbread. And I adore shortbread, so next week Ghoriba Bahla it is! I’ll be using tahini this time, since I have some that needs to be used up, and am delighted to have another use for toasted sesame oil, one of my kitchen staples. Then I shall scout out some Chinese sesame paste for next time.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 9:10 amThanks, Jean — I definitely love shortbread, too. I have not tried these with tahini — I wanted the richer Chinese sesame paste, but I will need to know how they work with tahini (which is thinner). Let me know!
Ronit
June 22, 2024 at 1:00 pmAfter you’ve mentioned these cookies in your comment on my tahini-sesame cookies post, I was looking forward to seeing your version.
Love the crumbly texture, and the fact they are not too sweet. I really like your use both Chinese sesame paste and toasted sesame oil. Will definitely try them soon! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 2:27 pmThanks, Ronit. The sesame oil really made these special. I hope you try them!
Mimi Rippee
June 22, 2024 at 5:03 pmI wish I could taste these! I love sesame, especially sesame oil!.Yes, I know, I can make these and then taste them, but I surely would eat the whole batch.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 5:37 pmThe trick is to bake a batch, keep four for you, and give the rest to a friend. It’s my new cook and diet plan!
Susan Debronsky
June 22, 2024 at 5:34 pmcould you try sprinkling them with sesame seeds before baking or would this change the character of the cookies?
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2024 at 5:36 pmYou could — I tried it once but didn’t like the texture change. But each to their own! You might love it.
angiesrecipes
June 22, 2024 at 9:47 pmThey look literally melt-in-mouth and I love the add of sesame paste here. Absolutely wonderful!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 24, 2024 at 9:25 amI really like the Chinese sesame paste, Angie, it has a much coarser grind than tahini. It works really well.
Pauline McNee
June 23, 2024 at 12:40 amDavid your shortbread looks so very good and quite unique, and I love that you used toasted sesame oil. I have some at home that needs using. I love the sesame flavours but stay away from the seeds which can be quite limiting at times. Apologies in advance, it might take me quite a while to read some of your posts at the moment. Our daughter had a bad fall last week and broke her leg very badly, so we are back up in Cairns looking after her. She is home now after complicated surgery so I might not be submitting a food post for a while either but I will be cooking. Can’t stay away from the kitchen:) Take care my friend.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 24, 2024 at 9:24 amoh, Pauline, I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. That has to be terribly painful. I hope she repairs quickly, and that your care helps to get her there. Don’t worry about commenting, I will completely understand. But I will miss your posts…
2pots2cook
June 24, 2024 at 6:41 amWe have a big match today evening ( Euro football ). Printing to make!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 24, 2024 at 9:20 amI hope the match goes well! And, that you enjoyed the cookies.
Valentina
June 24, 2024 at 12:46 pmWhile with my sweet tooth it’s hard for me to fathom not wanting the “slab of cake,” a couple of these cookies would definitely satisfy me. I really love desserts with sesame (Halva is a favorite!), so these are a hit with me. 🙂 ~Valentina
sherry
June 25, 2024 at 2:47 pmThese sound very intriguing, David – as the YouTubers say 🙂 Have never seen Chinese sesame paste. I was never a fan of shortbread till I tried my SIL’s biscuits. It’s the butter … Speaking of Morocco, our nephew in his younger, backpacking days landed in Morocco and left the next day. He just couldn’t take all the touts hassling him!!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
June 28, 2024 at 3:22 pmI’m jealous that you can limit yourself to a single square of chocolate or a cookie. It doesn’t work for us – if we get something like a cake, a box of chocolates or cookies… it is unlikely that they would last until next day, well depends on how big the cake or box is lol! These cookies love delicious (I don’t think I’ve ever had this type) and irresistible. What are you saying, 20 to 24 cookies? Okay, they may last for two days then but no promises! Lol
Cocoa & Lavender
July 3, 2024 at 7:57 amIt has taken a lot of strength to get myself down to one piece of chocolate for dessert. I love desserts! But, they love making my waistline much bigger! I hope you get to make them and see how long they last! I think you and Andrew would love them.
Raymund
July 2, 2024 at 8:51 pmIt’s clear you’ve put a lot of effort into recreating these cookies, and I can’t wait to try your version. Thanks for sharing this delightful recipe and bringing a piece of our Moroccan adventure back to life!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 3, 2024 at 7:40 amI have had excellent reviews from readers who have made them — I hope you try them!