Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds generally used as a dip or spread in middle east or Turkish cuisine. This tahini is a major component of other popular middle east dishes such as Hummus, baba ghanoush and halva. Raw tahini is flavoured with garlic or lemon and diluted with water  and served in restaurants as a dip.This is also used in meat preparations too.

This spread become soon rancid and tastes bitter as it is high in oil content so refrigeration after making this spread is essential. For longer storage add more olive oil which floats on top to prevent spoilage.

Tahine

Preparation Time:5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Cuisine: Middle East/Turkish
Makes: 1 cup

 INGREDIENTS:
Sesame seeds/ Gingelly seeds- 1 cup
Olive oil- 1 tablespoon
Salt- to taste

Tahini Paste

PROCEDURE:
  • Heat a pan add add the sesame seeds and allow the seeds to slightly toast. Check by touching the seeds. This step is just to speed up the grinding process.
  • Allow the seeds to cool; when it reaches room temperature add the seeds in a blender jar and powder well.
  • Initially it forms a powder and then at one point of time it starts to turn butter.
  • Once it is powdered add the oil and grind well to make a smooth paste.
  • Refrigerate in an airtight container to prevent spoilage.
  • You could use garlic or lemon juice to flavour this tahini if you are using this paste as such as a dip or spread.
Tahini paste