Makesabout 48 hors d’oeuvre toasts
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                            - Active time:20 min
 
                        
                            - Start to finish: 35 min
 
                        
                    
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
    
      
          
          
          
              
              
              
          
          
          
          
          
              
              
              May 2003
            
          
          
      
  
                
                
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            tablespoon
                                            cornstarch
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3/4 stick
                                            
                                            (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3/4
                                            teaspoon
                                            salt
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1/3
                                            cup
                                            sesame (benne) seeds, toasted (see Tips)
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            4 to 6
                                            cups
                                            (6- to 7-inch) pita loaves with pockets, halved horizontally
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                
                            
                         
                    
                 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                
                                
                                    
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
                                         
                                    
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Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk in salt, remaining 4 tablespoons butter, and sesame seeds.
                                         
                                    
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Brush rough sides of pita halves with butter mixture, stirring mixture well before brushing each half. Cut each pita half into 8 wedges and arrange, seeded sides up, in 1 layer on 2 baking sheets. Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes total. Cool toasts on a rack.
                                         
                                    
                                
                             
                        
                    
                    Cooks’ note: Pita toasts can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Recrisp in a 375°F oven 4 to 5 minutes before serving.