How to Make Tahini

How to Make Tahini

Tahini is a staple in Middle Eastern fare.  It is a creamy paste or sauce, made from ground toasted or raw sesame seeds.  Tahini is similar to peanut butter in texture and is used to enhance the flavor of may Middle Eastern dishes.  Other uses for Tahini are as a sandwich spread, pasta sauce, salad dressing, topping for falafel or as an ingredient.  Many hummus, dip, and dessert recipes call for hummus.

Time:

• Prep. Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 5 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 

• ½ cup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sesame seeds

• 3 - 4 tbsp neutral flavored oil (grape seed, light sesame or extra virgin olive oil)

• Pinch of salt (optional)

Directions:

• Toast Sesame Seeds: Add sesame seeds to a medium/large pan.  Heat pan over medium-low heat & toast, continually stirring until seeds become lightly toasted (not brown), 3 - 5 minutes. Set seed aside to cool.

• Make Tahini: Add the cooled sesame seeds to the bowl of the food processor, pulse until seeds form a crumbly paste, 1 - 2 minutes.  Add 1 tbsp oil, pulse.  Stop processing and scrape the seeds stuck to the side of the bowl.  Add 1 tbsp oil, pulse 30 seconds or until well blended.  Add salt (optional), more oil if necessary and continue to process until it forms smooth and it will drip off a spoon. 

• Store Tahini: Refrigerate Tahini in a sealed container.  The Tahini will store for about one month.  (It's fine if the Tahini separated, just stir until blended.)

Substitutes for Tahini (2 tbsp):

• 2 drops sesame oil

• 2 tbsp nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, or other)