Sunday, August 30, 2009

Nota Bene - Balls!

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Back in July, I spent some time in Tobago. This post was inspired by my memories of that trip and the taste of a popular Tobagonian treat called, Bene balls.

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Bene or Benne is an African word for Sesame seed. I secretly call these Tobago Jawbreakers and they are my guilty pleasure. Considerable effort is required to bite into one; the old and infirm need not apply. Oh, but they are so good. Family and friends upon hearing of your intent to visit the island of Tobago will beleaguer you with requests to bring them some Bene Balls.

My stash from that July trip did not last very long and I decided I should try to make my own. It's super easy to do and I can't imagine why I never thought to make them before.

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Trinibagonians abroad who can't get home and need a nostalgia fix. This is the real deal.

I was surprised that not one of my many Caribbean cookbooks had a recipe for this. Maybe it’s a Tobago national secret; a closely guarded formula like Angostura bitters? Never fear I finally wrangled an authentic recipe from a Tobagonian friend.


NB (Nota Bene): I have strayed away from the traditional ball shape and added honey so as to make it softer and more pleasantly crunchy. Your dentist will thank me I’m sure.


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RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sesame seeds

4 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

4 tablespoons honey

1. Line a 8 x 8 inch brownie pan with a sheet of waxed paper. Coat the waxed paper with cooking spray. Coat a silicone spatula with cooking oil spray. In a medium skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat, stirring often, until they're fragrant and golden, 7 minutes to 10 mins

2. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and honey. Cook over low heat, until the sugar is melted and the mixture is thick. No need to sir. Cook until the sugar reaches the soft ball stage. I keep a small bowl of water on the cook top to test the sugar. Use a teaspoon and drop a small amount of sugar in the water. Feel the sugar with your finger you should be able to roll it into a soft ball. At this point add the sesame seeds to the sugar and stir well with a wooden spoon.

3.Use the greased silicone spatula. Scrape the mixture into the brownie pan and onto the paper. Press down and smooth the mixture until it Is evenly spread across the bottom of the pan.

4. Cut the candy into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife. Let the candy cool completely. Break apart the pieces and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes about twelve squares.

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TIP: Another way to prepare these squares would be to coat two large sheets of waxed paper with cooking spray. Place one sheet of the waxed paper on a work surface, greased-side up. Scrape the mixture onto the paper and top it with the remaining sheet of waxed paper, greased-side down. Using a rolling pin, roll the mixture into a square about 1/4 inch thick.

13 comments:

  1. Tobago seems so dreamy, I would love to visit there one day.
    And the bene brittle looks delicious!

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  2. Sesame balls and bars are very popular in India. Almost you can find it in many shops. My friend from Tobago says that Trinidad and Tobago culture are greatly influenced by India. Your Bene brittle looks yummy. I also prepare with Black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds.

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  3. Wow! I love your take on bene balls :) Trinidad culture is greatly influenced by Indian immigration, but Tobago's isn't. Two different nations and histories. Interestingly enough the Gullah community of South Carolina also have benne balls and call them by that exact name. As they are well known for having kept many aspects of their West African language and traditions alive it's pretty clear that that is where the origins of our benne balls are based. It is pretty common to buy them in the shape you made them in as well, so don't worry you were pretty traditional :D

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  4. Thanks TriniG. Really? I have only ever seen them as balls or sticks. And yes I do believe that this was an African import to Tobago since Tobago's doesn't have a large Indian population.

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  5. My(e),
    Sure wish I could get black sesame seeds here.

    Nic
    Yes Tobago is dreamy!

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  6. Thanks for introducing me to a new snack. You know, I am yet to visit the beautiful isle of Tobago. I've only ever been to T'dad. Maybe we should plan a trip together?

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  7. I think you'd be surprised by how different Tobago is to Trinidad Cynthia. Still at least you are one up on me as I have never been to Barbados or Guyana - even though my maternal Grandad was Guyanese. Ooooh nice how about an island hopping culinary trip through the West Indies starting in Guyana in the south and ending in the Bahamas? That would be such a dream:-)

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  8. WOW! I can't wait to give these little treats a try. I love sesame candy and it never crossed my mind to try to make it. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog!

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  9. Bakerslove I hope you like them as much as I do

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  10. I love these. Although I don't remember them being as hard as when I was a child...progress perhaps :-)
    Thanks for dropping by my blog - always nice to encounter more Caribbean food bloggers!
    Adding you to my list.

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  11. Ooh I've never had this. Although of course I try to give away what I make even faster than I make it right now since all the baby pounds are not altogether gone! I love getting a taste of sunshine from your blog. London sunshine is so meh. =)

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  12. i love these..we get something like this in Kerala, India but these even better...

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  13. I am the American fiance' of a Trini and fell in love with Benne balls when we were in T&T last spring! I have searched for nearly a year to find a recipe that is exactly what I had while we were there. This sounds so perfect! I can't wait to try it out!

    I will definitely be scanning your blog for more when I have a chance! I really want to try to make more of what we experienced while there and this sounds like a great resource to start with!

    Thank you for sharing!

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