How to Make Iranian Sahan or Sowhan

Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• three-quarters cup tahini
• 1/2 cup crushed pistachios and pine nuts
• 1 tablespoon butter or ghee
• saffron
• Note: It is important to point out that sowhan is different from sahan, because the sowhan recipe includes some flour, while sahan is prepared using the same ingredients and method described above..

Method

1. Melt the sugar in a wide pan over low heat until it turns brown and caramelizes, or until it resembles caramel. Add the saffron, and if saffron is not available, it can be replaced with a pinch of turmeric, a pinch of ground cardamom, and a little ground cardamom.
2. Add the tablespoon of butter or dessert ghee, depending on what you have on hand. You can also omit the butter or ghee, but it gives the dessert a richer and tastier flavor.
3. Stir well, then add the tahini. You can use the full amount of tahini listed in the ingredients, or use only half a cup if preferred.
4. Stir quickly and at this stage add the ground pistachios and pine nuts, or either one, as desired.
5. Prepare a flat tray lined with parchment paper. Pour the sowhan mixture onto the parchment and spread it out evenly. Score the mixture with a knife and set aside.
6. Once the sowhan mixture has cooled completely and set after about 10 minutes, cut it and arrange it on serving plates.
   Timers: 10 min