Tahini is a delicious paste made using sesame seeds and it is popularly used in hummus recipes and other Middle Eastern recipes. Make it in no time and refrigerate to use as required. Now there is no need to buy Tahini paste again at that exorbitant price. Here is how to make it at home.
Let me tell you, I am a big Hummus fan!
Well, Hummus is a Mediterranean dip which is made with soaked and boiled chickpeas, there is one ingredient that adds a lot of taste to this dish.
It’s Tahini Paste.
Not only in Hummus, but it is also widely used in many Middle Eastern recipes and plays an important role in bringing that authentic taste and flavor.
Made from Sesame seeds, it is ground along with olive oil to get that creamy texture.
Nowadays it is available in the market under a lot of different brands, but they are very expensive and also hard to find.
This recipe will show you how to make it in very less time and it also very affordable.
I always make it at home and store it in an airtight container, so that it becomes convenient for me and also less time to make dishes like Hummus etc.
So, next time you are planning to make a Middle Eastern recipe, just make this Tahini Paste and store it in the refrigerator beforehand.
I also like to make a batch of Thai Green Curry Paste and Asian Red Chilli Paste at home, and use it whenever I want to make some fancy Continental recipes.
What is Tahini?
It is a delicious paste made using sesame seeds or til and it is popularly used in hummus recipes and other Middle Eastern recipes.
In all probability, you may have come across this ingredient in a hummus recipe and wondered which store to head to for this special ingredient?
Sometimes the paste purchased in stores could be a little too expensive or it might be bitter to taste.
Well, let me tell you one thing, this paste is super easy to make at home and the next time you’re making hummus or exploring other recipes from the Middle East, you can whip up a batch of Tahini right at home.
Ingredients
This Easy Homemade Tahini Paste Recipe requires exactly two ingredients – hulled sesame seeds and extra virgin olive oil.
It’s better to use hulled sesame seeds as unhulled sesame could give the Tahini a slightly bitter taste.
We are using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe so that the oil doesn’t overpower the whole paste.
In fact, the usage of olive oil gives this paste a rich Mediterranean flavor. Make sure to use the best quality ingredients to make this recipe.
Process
To make this paste, sesame seeds are toasted in a pan on low to medium heat until browned.
Toasting the sesame gives it a lovely nutty flavor and also reduces the bitterness of the sesame seeds.
Roasting the seeds on low heat ensures they are roasted until inside and release maximum flavour when blended with oil.
Then the sesame is set aside and allowed to cool. In a blender, the toasted sesame and olive oil are blended to a smooth paste.
The Tahini paste is then transferred to a clean glass jar and stored in the refrigerator.
Storage Suggestions
You can store this paste in the refrigerator for up to a month.
You must ensure that you blend the sesame and oil completely in order to get a nice smooth paste.
There are a few recipes that I’ve come across that don’t call for oil, but I find this recipe to be super creamy and it’ll help make Hummus taste creamy too, without any trace of the seed.
How to use Tahini ?
You can use this delicious creamy Tahini paste in your hummus, you could also whip up a quick dressing using Tahini and it tastes great as a sauce when paired with certain snacks as well.
You can use this paste for Baba Ganoush, Beet Hummus, Pumpkin Hummus, or this delicious Mutabal Recipe.
This is a fabulous vegan, gluten-free, and healthy sauce that you can incorporate in a variety of recipes.
Are you not convinced yet? Then try this recipe now and see for yourself.
Health Benefits
- It’s rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium, and iron and is a good source of Methionine, which aids in liver detoxification.
- It’s one of the best sources of calcium out there.
- This paste is high in vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B15.
- It helps to promote healthy cell growth.
- Prevent anemia.
- It helps to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone.
- It has 20% complete protein, making it a higher protein source than most nuts.
- Tahini paste is easy for your body to digest because of its high alkaline mineral content, which is great for assisting in weight loss.
- It is high in unsaturated fat (good fat!) – Source – Mind Body Green
Is it cheaper to make your own Tahini Paste?
It is definitely much cheaper to make your at-home plus it is more delicious as you are using the best ingredients to make it.
Is there a substitute for Tahini?
You can replace it with any nut butter.
The taste won’t be the same but the way it reacts in a recipe will be similar and you will not have to change the procedure.
You can even replace it with greek yogurt in baking recipes.
But be very careful while replacing tahini with yogurt as these two are very different ingredients and behave in very different ways.
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Step by Step Recipe
Add sesame seed in a frying pan and roast on low medium heat until slightly browned.
Remove the pan from heat and let the sesame sides cool.
Add them in a blender and blend until they are smooth. Add olive oil and blend to make smooth tahini. Store the tahini in a glass jar for up to a month in the refrigerator.
Tahini Paste Recipe
Here is an Easy Homemade Tahini Paste Recipe which you can make in no time and refrigerate to use as required. Now there is no need to buy it again at those exorbitant price.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sesame Seeds Hulled
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
Instructions
Add sesame seed in a frying pan and roast on low medium heat until slightly browned.
Remove the pan from heat and let the sesame sides cool.
Add them in a blender and blend until they are smooth.
Add olive oil and blend to make a smooth tahini.
Store the tahini in a glass jar for up to a month in refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
It’s better to use hulled sesame seeds as unhulled sesame could give the Tahini a slightly bitter taste.
Bianca
I would definitely try to make this. It’s so easy and I can make a lot and give them to my friends.
Neha Mathur
Oh yes. And it’s so economical to make at home 🙂