{"id":"recipe_cfa741a899","slug":"sesame-ka-ak","title":"Sesame Ka'ak","description":"A traditional Mediterranean sesame-crusted bread, known for its soft, airy interior and crispy, nutty exterior. Often enjoyed for breakfast with labneh or tea.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":95,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"all-purpose","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"300ml warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":300,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tbsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":25,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast","name":"Active dry yeast","quantity":7,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2 1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"dry","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tbsp olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":27,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"extra virgin","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 1/2 cups sesame seeds, toasted","name":"Sesame Seed","quantity":225,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"toasted","notes":"raw seeds also work but toasted has more flavor","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tbsp honey or grape molasses","name":"Grape Molasses","quantity":42,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with grape molasses","group":"Coating","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Whisk together warm water, sugar, and yeast","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Combine the flour and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes (or 5 minutes in a stand mixer) until it is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Knead the dough by hand","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.","group":"Baking Prep","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking Prep"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Prepare the coating: In a wide, shallow dish, mix the honey (or molasses) with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Put the sesame seeds in another wide, shallow dish.","group":"Coating & Shaping","title":"Prepare the coating","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating & Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a long rope, then join the ends to form a ring or an elongated oval.","group":"Coating & Shaping","title":"Punch down the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating & Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Dip each dough ring into the honey-water mixture, then immediately press it into the sesame seeds until well-coated on both sides. Place on the prepared baking sheets.","group":"Coating & Shaping","title":"Dip each dough ring","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating & Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (204°C) until the bread is golden brown and the sesame seeds are aromatic. Serve warm.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"To get the iconic 'Jerusalem Ka'ak' shape, stretch the dough into long ovals or rings with a handle. Using grape molasses instead of honey in the water bath gives a more authentic, deep color.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Baking sheet","Parchment paper","Mixing bowl","Whisk"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","dairy_free"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","sesame"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"piece","note":"Large bread rings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared and kept in the fridge overnight for the first rise."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container or bag to keep soft. Reheat in the oven or toaster to restore crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat for 5 minutes at 350°F (177°C)."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_cfa741a899%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=38453c2f-8b65-490a-a1e1-29f55f7edcc3","imageAlt":"Sesame Ka'ak — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["ka'ak","sesame bread","middle eastern breakfast","lebanese food","syrian food","baked goods"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sesame Ka'ak","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:28:28.003Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:28:28.003Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_93cd8cc1d5","slug":"foul-mudammas-egyptian-b0a2d1a5","title":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans","description":"A traditional Egyptian and Mediterranean breakfast staple made from slow-cooked fava beans, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and high-quality olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean","high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_93cd8cc1d5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5f51ba9c-cd23-448e-9c6a-c10cf077e07d","imageAlt":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans — recipe cover","tags":["fava beans","egyptian breakfast","healthy","high protein","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_e90a4fd311","slug":"kagianas","title":"Kagianas","description":"A traditional Greek breakfast delight featuring vine-ripened tomatoes and creamy feta cheese scrambled with fresh eggs for a Mediterranean start to your day.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e90a4fd311%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b290bd3d-1e1d-42f8-8a20-bcfda19a5c6e","imageAlt":"Kagianas — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","tomato","feta","greek","mediterranean","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"menemen_a62c2fd7c2","slug":"menemen","title":"Menemen","description":"A classic Turkish breakfast dish consisting of eggs, tomatoes, and green peppers, traditionally served in a metal skillet with crusty bread.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmenemen_a62c2fd7c2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e9e71400-16af-40b7-bac9-bd5fd60261a7","imageAlt":"Menemen — recipe cover","tags":["turkish breakfast","eggs","tomatoes","vegetarian","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}