HALVA SESAME RECIPES

Steps:

• Line an 8- x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Combine sugar, vanilla seeds and lemon zest with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Allow mixture to simmer into a syrup, without stirring, until temperature registers 245 degrees on candy thermometer.
• While syrup is cooking, place tahini and salt in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle. Beat on medium speed. Carefully stream syrup into tahini with mixer running. Mix until syrup is incorporated and mixture begins to pull away from sides of bowl, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overmix. The halvah texture should be fudgelike, not sandy. 
• Working quickly with a heatproof spatula, transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Place another piece of parchment on top and use your hands on top of the parchment to smooth out halvah. Cool completely to room temperature and cut into squares. Store at room temperature, well wrapped in plastic, for a week.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, fish sauce, cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water, making sure there are no lumps. Stir in the hoisin, chili paste and sesame oil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sauce mixture, bring to a simmer and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute. Reserve the sauce in a small bowl for later.
• Wipe out the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the peanut oil and when hot, add the chicken and cook until just browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the onions, peppers and garlic and cook until just softened, about 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet, stir in the sauce, tomatoes and scallions and cook for 1 minute more. 
• Place the cucumber noodles in a large bowl and toss with the hot chicken mixture from the skillet directly before serving. Sprinkle with torn basil and serve.