silan-tahini-ice-cream-sundaes

These ice cream sundaes are one of those miraculous desserts that can be pulled together in an instant and have you looking like a genius. Its warm, spicy flavors are the essence of Middle Eastern sweets and a perfect fit for this time of year. Silan, or date syrup, is a Middle Eastern equivalent of maple syrup, sorghum, or molasses. Use a good-quality brand that tastes like dates: sweet and spicy with hints of citrus.

Makes 8 servings

1 quart vanilla ice cream
½ to ¾ cup top-quality raw, toasted, or unhulled tahini
½ to ¾ cup  homemade or good-quality store-bought silan (date syrup)
½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
¼ cup crumbled halvah (optional)

Scoop the ice cream into 8 bowls, dividing it evenly. Top each serving with a generous drizzle each of tahini and silan. Sprinkle generously with the pecans and top with halvah.

Reprinted with permission from The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen © 2015 by Amelia Saltsman, Sterling Epicure, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.