How to Make Tahini

Ever wondered about that magic ingredient that makes dishes like hummus or baba ghanoush so tasty? It is tahini or sesame seed paste. Traditionally used in many Middle Eastern and North African cuisines, tahini and tahini-based sauces are served as a default dip with breads and meat preparations all across the Middle Eastern and Arab countries. In some Mediterranean cuisines, tahini is used as a base for sweet spreads and condiments. Tahini is also used in Far Eastern and Indian cuisines.

With the growing interest in global cuisine, tahini has started appearing on the shelves of many food stores over the last decade, but it is still hard to find it in many parts of the world, and even when it is found, it can be frightfully expensive. However, you can make your own tahini, which is much cheaper, free from preservatives and tastes much better than the canned or bottled ones you get at stores. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this simple recipe that can transform your cooking and take it to the next level.

Complexity Level: Basic

Time Required: 15-20 minutes

Resources Required:

  1. 2 cups of sesame seeds
  2. 1/2 a cup of extra virgin olive oil
  3. A blender

Instructions:

1. Roast the sesame seeds

Roast the sesame seeds on a dry pan over a medium flame for about five minutes, tossing them around so that they roast evenly till they just start to brown a little. You can also roast them spread out thinly in a baking tray in an oven preheated to 350 for about 10 minutes.

2. Let them cool

Let the roasted sesame seeds cool down to room temperature. This will ensure that the oil in the sesame seeds is released uniformly while blending.

3. Blend the sesame with olive oil

Pour the sesame seeds into a blender along with extra virgin olive oil. Start with half the amount of oil and add a little at time till the tahini reaches the consistency of a thick but pour-able paste. Pour out the tahini paste into a jar and refrigerate to store.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How can homemade tahini be stored?

Tahini stays well if kept refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to four weeks.

2. How to make tahini sauce?

Take a few cloves of fresh garlic, a pinch of sea salt, crush them in a pestle and mortar (or blitz them in a blender). Add tahini paste and blend again. Add lime juice and a little extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil to bring it to the consistency of a dip. You tahini sauce is now ready!

Quick Tips:

  1. When you roast the sesame seeds, they will turn into a slightly darker color. Use white sesame seeds instead of brown variety if you are particular about not getting your tahini too dark.
  2. Tahini can be used like a spread on bread or in sandwiches. You may want to add a pinch of salt to the paste for this.
  3. You can add tahini to most meat dishes to give it an extra flavor.
  4. You can make raw tahini paste by not roasting the sesame seeds but soaking them in water overnight, and then following the rest of the recipe. This, however, will not help keeping it in the refrigerator beyond a couple of days.

Things To Watch Out For:

  1. Tahini will not come out smooth and consistent in your regular blender. You will need to use a high power blender or the high setting on a food processor for this.
  2. Though, tahini is a very nutritious ingredient, with more of good fats than bad ones, the calorie content is high because of the oil base. If you are watching your calories, you must keep a watch on how much tahini you consume.

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