Food Files: Benne biscuits

Dear Lisa: We were in South Carolina for the holidays, and we were served some wonderful sesame seed biscuits with cocktails. I believe they were called "Benny" or "bini" biscuits. I would love to have the recipe if you could provide it. Thank you, V.M.

Dear V.M.: What most people call sesame seeds, those in the low country of South Carolina call benne. Benne seeds are a symbol of good luck, and wafers, cookies, fudge and candies are made with them, as well as the famously addictive benne biscuits.

For variety with this version, you can use a flavored finishing salt.

BENNE BISCUITS

2 cups unsifted flour

1 teaspoon salt

Dash cayenne

3/4 cup shortening or margarine

Ice water

1 cup roasted sesame seeds

Additional salt

Mix flour, salt and cayenne; cut in shortening; add enough ice water (about 1/2 cup) to make a dough the consistency of pie crust; add seeds which have been roasted in shallow pan at 350 F. for about 20 minutes. Roll thin, cut into small (1-inch) round wafers.

Place in biscuit pan and cook in slow oven (about 300 F.) for 20 or 30 minutes. Before removing from pan and while hot, sprinkle with additional salt.

These may be kept in a covered tin or cracker jar and, before serving, put in a slow oven to crisp.

Yield: several dozen.

* Lisa Fritz, a longtime Bryan food and nutrition educator, answers readers' questions about food, cooking and recipes. Her email address is cheflisa525@yahoo.com.