Tahini is the Middle Eastern term for sesame seed paste. Sesame seeds are hulled, toasted and ground into a thick paste which is then used in savory and sweet foods. Tahini can stand on its own, though, as this simple dressing clearly illustrates.
Nutritionally, tahini is very rewarding. A tablespoon of raw tahini has almost 3 grams of protein, 8 grams of mostly unsaturated fat (including omega 3), 1.5 grams of fiber. It is also a source of calcium and other nutrients that makes it a favorite of vegans and vegetarians.
Tahini Dressing (12 servings of 2 tbsp)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup very cold water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/3-1/2 cup of tahini
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pour cold water into a mixing bowl.
- Juice lemon and add to water.
- Add tahini into liquid and mix. In less than a minute, you should have a creamy white sauce. Note: If too watery, add more tahini. If tastes too much like sesame – add some more lemon juice. If too acidic – add a bit more tahini.
- Add garlic, parsley, and salt and mix well.
You can pour this dressing over fresh cut salad, or use it as a dip.
Variations:
1. Instead of parsley, add a teaspoon of paprika to create a slightly reddish dressing.
2. Use an entire bunch of parsley, combining it in a blender with the water and lemon juice to create a green liquid. The resulting tahini is totally green.
Nutrition analysis provided by Palate Works: Serving size – 2 tablespoons; Calories 60; Total fat 5g; Sat fat 0.5g; Sodium 55mg; Total carbs 3g; Protein 2g.