Your tastebuds will thank you for this creamy Tahini takeover!
Table of Contents
Of the many delicious dippable sauces, hummus is heavenly. Whether you love loading up classic pita chips or topping crisp crudité, there are so many ways this creamy dip adds a rich flavor to your favorite foods. Plus, with its high fiber content and nutrient profile, you don’t have to feel guilty adding a little hummus to your snack time!
But before you run out to the grocery store and pick up some pre-made hummus, have you ever considered making a batch at home? I know, it’s so much easier to buy hummus than blend ingredients, but you’ll be shocked at how amazingly fresh a DIY recipe tastes.
If you want to make your hummus, then you’ve got to start with the base: tahini! Don’t worry; you don’t need a lot of ingredients or time to make a batch of tahini at home. In fact, I bet many of you have everything you need to make tahini at home right now!
As a bonus, you can use tahini for more than just hummus. Curious? Keep reading to find out how to make tahini and how you can put this creamy paste to work.
Is Tahini Healthy?
Since tahini is a mix of hulled sesame seeds and cooking oil, there’s not much to dislike about its nutritional profile. The only “unhealthy” side effect to watch out for is the oil you use. Nutrient-dense oils like avocado or olive oil add more vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants, but extra-refined oils won’t give you as much of a health boost.
Besides choosing a healthy oil, the simplest way to increase the health profile of your tahini is to pair it with great sides like veggies. However, you could add superfood spices like turmeric, ginger, or even cayenne pepper if you want extra benefits directly in your tahini. Although it’s not “traditional” to add additional spices to a tahini recipe, feel free to experiment if you don’t mind a unique flavor.
What if my tahini separates?
Please don’t panic if you see your DIY tahini start to separate. It’s totally natural for tahini to form layers as the oil from the seeds separates from the solids. While this may look unsightly, it doesn’t mean your tahini is bad as long as it doesn’t show warning signs like mold or a bad smell.
Although separation is completely natural in tahini, you’ll need to mix this sauce before serving. If you had your tahini chilling in the fridge, it sometimes helps to zap it in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds to loosen everything up. Also, consider storing your tahini upside down in your airtight container to help the oils distribute evenly.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup hulled sesame seeds
- 2 to 4 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado or light olive oil)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Toast
Toast sesame seeds until golden.
Blend
Process seeds into a paste.
Emulsify
Add oil to achieve smooth tahini.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
After you’ve whipped up your delicious tahini, all you have to do is put your mixture in an airtight container like a glass mason jar and store it in the fridge. Typically, your DIY tahini should last a week in a cool refrigerator, but you should always check this condiment for spoilage. Just remember that separation is A-OK.
Each batch of tahini has distinctive flavors depending on factors like the type of oil you’re using and whether your sesame seeds are roasted or raw. However, traditional tahini has strong savory and nutty notes with hints of earthiness. While you might pick up a touch of bitterness in tahini, this flavor shouldn’t be overpowering — nor should you notice excessive sweetness in your tahini. For the most intense flavors, try roasting your sesame seeds before blending them; otherwise, use raw hulled sesame seeds for a milder flavor experience.
There’s no rule saying you need to use hulled sesame seeds in your tahini recipe, but many people prefer them due to their smoother texture and milder flavor profile. If you use unhulled sesame seeds, prepare for a chunkier tahini with bitter notes. On the positive side, unhulled sesame seeds have higher fiber concentrations, so you can feel extra good about your digestive health!
Serving Suggestions
As I already mentioned, tahini is most famous as a star ingredient in hummus, so check out this Best Homemade Hummus recipe once you have a jarful of tahini. But it’s not all about hummus! There are plenty of other creative ways to put your tahini to good use in the kitchen.
For instance, try mixing tahini with some lemon juice and herbs and spreading it on sandwiches or salads (for example, try drizzling Miso Lemon Tahini Dressing on this Best Quinoa Salad.).
Tahini is so versatile you could even use it in baked goodies like these Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies With Tahini to add an extra touch of nuttiness to your sweets. Please get extra creative when looking for ways to add your rich tahini to a recipe rotation!
Ingredients
- 1 cup hulled sesame seeds
- 2 to 4 tablespoons neutral oil such as avocado or light olive oil
- Pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
- Transfer cooled sesame seeds to a food processor, add a pinch of salt if desired, and blend into a crumbly paste, about 1 minute.
- While processing, gradually add oil until a smooth, pourable consistency is achieved, about 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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