Apple Sesame Custard

Tahini is made from sesame seeds that are soaked in water and then crushed to separate the bran from the kernels. The crushed seeds are soaked in salt water, causing the bran to sink. The floating kernels are skimmed off the surface, toasted, and ground to produce an oily paste.

Ingredients

• 6 cups organic apple juice
• Agar-agar flakes 1 tbsp. per cup of juice
• 3 tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
• Pinch of sea salt
• 5 tbsp. tahini
• 1 whole vanilla pod or a few drops of vanilla essence
• Fresh berries and banana for garnish
• Cacao nibs for garnish

Instructions

Put the apple juice, agar-agar flakes and lemon zest into a medium saucepan. Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes. Add the salt, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir every now and then with a wooden spoon until the agar-agar flakes have completely dissolved, then remove from the heat.

Put the tahini into a small bowl. Gradually add about ½ cup of the hot juice, stirring as you add it. When the tahini reaches a thin, creamy consistency, stir the mix from the bowl into the saucepan.

Slice the vanilla pod along its length and scrape out the seeds. Mix this seedy paste into the custard. Pour the hot liquid into a shallow bowl. Leave to cool until it is firm, (approx. 2 hours). Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Place the custard in a covered container in the fridge, then serve either on its own or as a topping for other desserts.