Tahini
(طحينة, Tahina)
Tahini is a paste consisting of toasted and ground sesame seeds which are usually thinned with lemon juice and water. It is an incredibly versatile paste that can be served as a dip and consumed on its own, or as a condiment accompanying numerous meat and vegetable dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Tahini can also be used as a spread, as the main ingredient in soups, or as a key ingredient in hummus, halva, or baba ghanoush. It is believed that the best tahini should have a light and toasty sesame seed flavor and a rich texture.
The paste contains large amounts of Vitamin B and E, as well as magnesium, iron, and calcium. Originally, sesame seeds came to Israel via ancient Persia, where they were considered holy food. Sesame products were so popular that they were reserved only for the aristocracy, and tahini soon spread to India, Africa, and Asia.
Today, it remains an extremely popular condiment in numerous countries such as Greece, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. It is recommended to pair it with date syrup or cocoa powder for a nutritious, flavorful dessert.
Part of
Goma dare
Goma dare is a traditional sesame seed dipping sauce. It's usually prepared with a combination of tahini, soy sauce, sake, mirin rice vinegar, garlic, miso, sugar, sesame ... Read more
Hummus kawarma
Hummus kawarma is a traditional version of hummus. In order to prepare it, freshly made hummus is topped with fried pieces of lamb. The hummus is made from chickpeas, ... Read more
Batata harra
Batata harra is a spicy Lebanese vegetable dish made by frying potatoes, garlic, chili, and coriander in olive oil. The dish is traditionally served in a flatbread as ... Read more
Horenso no goma-ae
Horenso no goma-ae is a traditional salad originating from Japan. The salad is usually made with a combination of spinach, soy sauce, salt, sugar, sesame seeds, and tahini ... Read more
Serve with
Kebda Eskandarani
Kebda Eskandarani or Alexandrian liver is the Alexandrine specialty consisting of fried beef liver with spicy seasonings such as cumin, garlic, cardamom, and ... Read more
Falafel
Even though these protein-packed chickpea fritters are listed as one of Israel's national dishes, and are a staple in many Middle Eastern countries including Palestine ... Read more
Shawarma
Marinated and spit-roasted, shawarma is a delicious Middle Eastern meat treat whose origins can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire era, while its name stems from the ... Read more
Tahini Authentic recipe
This recipe for Israeli tahini sauce or dip was adapted from the Haarets.co.il website. It is based on store-bought tahini paste or raw tahini, which can easily be made at home by lightly toasting 150 grams of sesame seeds and blending them with 3 tablespoons of oil and a pinch of salt in a food processor.
