• Kantun Ridi

    Kantun Ridi is the hausa name for sesame seed candy also known as beniseed candy.  Up until a few years ago, I never even knew sesame seeds were a huge part of our cuisine in Nigeria. Being a food blogger, you get to discover all kinds of interesting things from conversations with friends.

    I had asked my travel blogger fulani friend Aisha about Christmas dishes in her house and while she was listing items on the table, ridi came up. She said it was a must for christmas in addition to chin chin and a host of other yummy dishes. I inquired a little bit more and she said it was almost like a brittle but sometimes people made it a bit more chewy or crispy but that it was preferential. I decided to jazz mine up with a bit of cinnamon. For me, I always believe that if a recipe calls for A and B, if C works with it, I will throw it in as well. Obviously, you can add more flavors if you feel up to it.

    For this recipe, I made a very small batch because i was just experimenting with the idea but feel free to double the recipe or halve it if you are unsure. This recipe makes about 8-10 small pieces of kantun ridi cookies.

    Recipe for Kantun Ridi

    Ingredients

    1/2 cup of Sesame seeds

    1/4 cup of Sugar

    1 tablespoon of Honey

    1 teaspoon of Cinnamon powder

    Method

    Wash sesame seeds and pan fry till dry and set aside.

    In a separate pot, heat up your sugar, honey and cinnamon till thick.

    Stir in your sesame seeds into the sugar mix.

    With a spoon, scoop the sesame seeds onto a well oiled foil sheet or parchment paper

    Allow it cool for a few seconds and mould into shapes with your hands.

    Serve cool.

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    Street Child

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    6 comments on “Kantun Ridi”

    1. Zel Reply

      I have been looking for this recipe since forever. I’d there a substitute for sugar?

      • afrolems Reply

        More honey would be your best bet as a substitute but you require something that caramelizes so the candy sticks together.

    2. Sam Reply

      Hi, thank you so much. I lived in the north for 25yrs but after i came to Lagos, I lost touch with Ridi sellers, could not even find one in the popular mile 12 market. With your help I can now prepare this for my wife and kids. But where do i get Cinnamon powder.

    3. earthfreshfoodsng Reply

      Can we substitute sugar and honey by dissolving jaggery or using date syrup

    4. Ngufan Reply

      It’s 2021! Looking for a sesame snap recipe and I came across yours. Was scared but they came out nicely, made balls with mine. Thank you!

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