Tahini, an Arabic word for sesame seed paste, is widely used in many Middle Eastern dishes and also serves as a meat-substitute since it's a great source of vegetarian protein. The list of dishes which require tahini ranges from traditional to highly innovative.
Traditions from the Middle East
In a traditional sense, fast food purveyors pour a sauce made from tahini, lemon juice and water over their fried falafel that is usually stuffed into sandwiches or perched on top of platters or salads. Those who like a thicker dip with their falafel will combine the tahini with humus made from pureed chickpeas, lemon juice and olive oil.
Another traditional dish is a third type of tahini-based dip, an eggplant mixture with tahini, lemon juice and cilantro, known as baba ghanouj. There are multitudes of variations on all three of these: the basic tahini/lemon sauce, humus and baba ghanouj.
A Vegan Spread
For vegans looking for a cream cheese substitute, tahini mixed with lemon juice and water to a mayonnaise-like consistency makes a great spread. You won't want to forget to grate some lemon zest into this though, as it adds both tang and texture.
When spread on a toasty bagel and topped with paprika and some hemp seeds as well as a slice of cucumber when in season, tahini makes eaters realize what a great sandwich base it really is. And humus or baba ghanouj can replace it on the same bagel in similar combinations.
Disguised as Dairy
Another great use of tahini is in combination with tofu, for a non-dairy ricotta cheese or a non-dairy dip base that can then be seasoned in endless combinations. The non-dairy ricotta makes for another layer of vegan lasagna, and the dip base can be great with fresh dill weed and spinach on potato chips or raw vegies or any other crunchy staple.
Hot or Cold, in Dressings and Sauces
Tahini also goes in salad dressings and stir fry sauces, not only for vegetarian dishes, but also for glazes on meats or in casseroles containing poultry, fish or meat. The Citrus-Sesame Macaroni Salad has a tahini dressing that can be served either hot or cold. Tahini dressings are wonderful in any season, for cold tossed salads of raw leafy vegetables, or for hot noodle or meat and other protein dishes to make them extra hearty.
The opportunity to explore this amazing ingredient is available to everyone, whether familiar with traditional Middle Eastern cuisine or not. Whether vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore, tahini can appeal to you by adding that extra little something to your meals. You have probably already tried it either knowingly or unknowingly, since it can be disguised and concealed so easily!
Elizabeth Herman - Elizabeth Herman (Betsy) recently completed a doctorate in Rhetoric and Composition. Her dissertation research investigated possible ...
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