A while back I was asked by one of the blog’s fans for the recipe of Tahini Dip or Sauce, the Tahini Dip served in Middle Eastern restaurants with other appetizers. It has been on top of my to-do list for quite some time now… and don’t know how it just got delayed and delayed.
It is amazing how the simple and easy stuff get delayed!?! It is as if my subconscious makes me focus on the difficult stuff and the easy ones get pushed back. Anyway, I won’t bore you more with my justification for a late reply for a very easy and simple dish: Tahini Dip!
If you look tahini in the dictionary this is what you get:
tahini /tɑːˈhiːni/ (also tahina /tɑːˈhiːnə/) ▶noun: a Middle Eastern paste or spread made from ground sesame seeds.
Tahini, or sesame paste as it is called in the West, is a common ingredient in Middle Eastern, Persian, Turkish and Indian cuisines. Some sources mention that it is used in Chinese and Japanese cuisines, but I am not definite about that. What I am definite about is the popularity of tahini in Arabic cuisine! We use it in appetizers, salads, main dishes, we even use it in the preparation of sweets.
For preparing the Tahini Dip or Tahini Sauce – the name depends on your preference - I have two recipes. The first recipe is a thicker and denser version of Tahini sauce which I serve with grilled and fried vegetables. This is also the Tahini Sauce that some restaurants serve as a stand-alone appetizer. The second recipe is a lighter, more liquidy tahini sauce that I serve with meat shawerma, or falafel. It can also be added as a condiment to a selection of sandwiches. Following is the recipe for both.
Before you read the Tahini Sauce recipes remember that you need to shake the tahini jar well before use. Even after shaking, the consistency of the paste may be denser at the bottom of the jar. This makes it very difficult to 100% set the exact measurements for the recipe. Adjust the water depending on whether you are using Tahini for the top of the jar or the bottom. If you are using a jar that is almost at the bottom you will need to add a bit more water to the recipe than is called for.
Tahini Dip (Tahini Sauce) Recipe
Preparation time: 5 min
Thick Tahini Dip/ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
½ cup tahini
½ cup yogurt
¼ cup water
1 large clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste if needed
Juice of 1 large lemon
How to make Thick Tahini Sauce:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk until all are well incorporated and you have a consistent creamy sauce. You can also pulse in electric mixer.
Light Tahini Sauce:
Ingredients:
½ cup tahini
½ cup water
1 medium to large clove garlic, minced
1/3 teaspoon salt , adjust to taste if needed
How to make Light Tahini Sauce:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk until all are well incorporated and you have a consistent sauce. You can also pulse in electric mixer.
Hope you enjoyed today’s easy recipe: Tahini Sauce, traditional Middle Eastern food. Bon appetite, or as we say in Arabic “sahtain”.
Which do you prefer more, thick or light Tahini sauce?
اضغط الرابط لقراءة وصفة صلصة الطحينة باللغة العربية
