Tahini

Tahini is a sesame seed paste adding rich, nutty flavor to Middle Eastern dishes.

Flavor

How to use it

Dressings with Depth. Mix tahini with lemon juice to alter texture and enhance sesame flavors.

Nutty Hummus. In hummus, tahini's oils work with chickpea proteins to create creaminess.

Common mistakes

• Unstirred tahini gives uneven flavor.
• High oil content can overwhelm if unbalanced.

What goes with tahini

• Lemon. Lemon's acidity brightens tahini's nutty, creamy flavors.
• Chickpea. Tahini's nutty richness and chickpea's creamy starch blend into hummus.
• Eggplant. Nutty tahini enriches smoky charred eggplant, the base of baba ganoush.
• Garlic. Garlic adds a pungent note to tahini’s nuttiness.
• Carrot. Nutty, bitter tahini balances carrot's sweetness.
• Cauliflower. Nutty tahini and roasted cauliflower's browned sweetness suit each other.
• Sesame Seed. Tahini is ground sesame seed, so the two share the same nutty flavor.
• Harissa. Tahini's creamy sesame fat tames harissa's heat in dips.

Try tonight

• Swirl into hummus for a silky finish.
• Mix with molasses for a sweet treat.
• Use in cookies as a butter replacement.

Storage

Store in a cool place; refrigerate for longer shelf life.