For Ali Baba, the phrase “open sesame” was a password to unbelievable riches. Photo by Getty Images. Like the story of Ali Baba, the tale of the sesame seed itself is a rags-to-riches story.

Halva is a Middle Eastern treat made from tahini that is similar to fudge, but much better! If you're searching for a gluten-free dessert, stop here. I recently became an executive member at ...

To be fair, they even have a pretty tasty sugar-free version of the candy. Back in my Sunday school days, I didn't know that halvah was made from crushed sesame seeds.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle halvah and sesame seeds evenly over batter. Bake in preheated oven until deep golden brown and top springs back gently when pressed, 55 minutes to 1 hour.

When I need a jar of tahini, I will go out of my way to get my preferred brand, Seed + Mill. I am also magnetically drawn to the company’s kiosk at Chelsea Market in New York. Whenever I am in ...