Tahini’s complex, nutty-fruity taste belies it simple origins. This is just a paste made of roasted sesame seeds and olive oil but for something that is so simple, it is incredibly versatile, delicious and popular, especially in the Middle East. In this region, tahini is a pantry staple. It is used as the foundation for numerous Middle Eastern dishes from dips such as hummus to appetizers such as baba ghanoush and rich, sweet halva.
Tahini makes a great alternative to some of the more commonly used dips and spreads. It has less cholesterol than butter and less fat as compared to several readymade dressings and dips. Best of all, it’s packed full of flavor.
Take a look at just some of the ways you can enjoy a jar of Tahini:
- Makes a delicious, low-fat dip. Hummus and tahini are a match made in heaven. But that does not mean you cannot explore outside of this combination. Carrot and cucumber fingers, tomato wedges and chunky pepper slices taste delicious when dipped into tahini and eaten. It makes a wonderful, low fat alternative to dips made of mayonnaise and ranch or Thousand Island dressing. Spice things up with some a few drops of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper sauce.
- Makes for a healthy, filling breakfast. When you are in a hurry to dash out in the morning and don’t have time to sit and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, hummus spread over a slice of whole wheat bread can be a healthy, filling solution.
- Use it in salads and soups. Tired of drizzling low fat or balsamic or vinaigrette dressing over your salad and of thickening your soup with corn flour? Instead try combining apple cider vinegar, grated ginger and lemon juice with tahini for a mouth watering dressing that goes with any kind of salad. It’s low fat too! As a soup thickener, it adds better consistency and more flavor and nutrition too. Try it once and you’ll be hooked!
Tickle Your Taste Buds With Tarator Sauce
When you are looking for something to impress your dinner guests or you are looking for a special treat for your family dinner, whip up this tahini based Tarator sauce and serve it with chicken and steamed chunky vegetables. To make Tarator sauce, blend together ½ cup tahini with ½ cup lemon juice, 4 cloves and ¼ cup parsley. Serve.
Keep a jar or a bottle of tahini in your kitchen pantry at all times and you know you’ll never run out of novel ideas for whipping up a healthy, tasty meal in minutes.