Quick Pick-Me-Up

• Eat a piece of almond halva instead of a candy bar if you need an intense sugar rush. While excessive sugar consumption is frowned upon by medical researchers, an occasional piece of halva is sweet enough to stave off mid-afternoon hunger pangs without too many adverse consequences. Halva softened at room temperature can also be used as a spread on rolls or bagels. The spread has more protein than jelly because of the protein contributed by the almonds and sesame tahini.

Coffee Accompaniment

• Have a piece of almond halva with a leisurely cup of coffee. In the Middle East, halva is often served at weddings and other celebrations. On the street, customers buy halva by the slice from confectioners' shops or at sidewalk cafes, nibbling on it while sipping a cup or two of coffee. Make your own halva or buy it from a candy store that sells it, take it home and serve it to guests who stop by for a cup of coffee. Softened halva spread on toast or a bagel is an alternative to a sweet roll or coffeecake.

Gifts

• Make a batch of halva, cut it into squares or roll it into balls, put it in a decorative tin and present it as a hostess gift. Halva is easy to make and lends itself to some experimentation, so you can create a one-of-a-kind gift by adding ingredients such as rose water or vanilla extract. Form the halva into a loaf and garnish the top with floral patterns made of almonds. Halva balls and squares can be rolled in cinnamon and sugar before placing them in a tin lined with parchment or waxed paper.

Candy Party

• Plan a candy party and invite your guests to bring their favorite homemade confections. Make two or three different version of almond halva for your contribution, a basic one containing little more than tahini, almonds and sugar; a Greek version that includes semolina as an ingredient and another recipe using wheat germ. Set up a table as a buffet and line up your and your guests' offerings, provide plates, napkins, forks and plenty of coffee as an accompaniment. Provide notepads and pencils so your guests can write down their impressions of each treat.