How to make sesame tahini at home

Have you tried tahini? This is a delicate white sesame paste with a pleasant piquancy, very light sourness and an appetizing oily consistency. The product is incredibly tasty and healthy and can be used very widely in cooking: you can use it to prepare complex multi-ingredient dishes, dress healthy fresh salads and spread it on a bun. Be sure to try making it using your own homemade recipe!

The king of healthy eating, tahini sauce is gaining popularity. It is so healthy and rich in microelements that it is just right to serve it for lunch in hospitals, for a speedy recovery of patients!

Tahini sauce is popular all over the world and is made differently in different parts of the world. This is the beauty of this product: it does not have one standard taste, and thanks to spices and various additives, it can be prepared in different ways and create new original tastes.

Today we will learn everything about this exotic and so far unfamiliar product and even find out the best way to prepare it at home with your own hands. Forward!

Tahini sauce: what is it?

Tahini sauce with meat
In fact, tahini sauce originated in Israel and is an integral component of the Israeli table. Israelis don't seem to eat anything without their favorite sesame paste! And since these people are famous for their health and longevity and prefer healthy food, the product is already arousing considerable interest.

Tahina is a thick mass of pleasant consistency, the color of condensed milk, with small inclusions depending on the added spices. This mass is made from white sesame seeds, which are dried in a frying pan and ground in a blender.

Be sure to add garlic, lemon juice, as well as pure and high-quality olive oil and salt. In fact, this is the entire recipe, nothing more is required. But of course, skilled and restless housewives and chefs around the world rolled up their sleeves and began to experiment. And they created several amazingly harmonious flavors of tahini sauce, using special spices and herbs. Now sesame paste is popular and loved all over the world!

What it is

What is sesame tahini paste (or sesame tahini)?

Tahina is a paste made from sesame seeds with a little added oil. This is an important component of traditional Arab cuisine - widely distributed in Iran, Turkey, India and Africa, Israel and Japan. It is served both as an independent dish and in addition to others.

The snack has the following qualities:

• Delicate creamy buttery texture;
• Sweetish, tart taste;
• Nutty aroma.

The main property of tahini is its versatility; it goes well with meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, salty and sweet ingredients. The first mentions are found already in the thirteenth century - in the old days the product was considered expensive, elite, a kind of currency for exchange.

Why is tahini so good? Let's discuss the positive qualities of the snack in detail!

Tahini sauce: composition

As already mentioned, tahini is made from white sesame seeds. It should be fresh, without bitterness (before cooking, sesame seeds must be tasted so that they do not become bitter).

According to the classic recipe, the sauce includes garlic, sea salt, olive oil and black pepper, as well as lemon juice. But you can add cumin or paprika, turmeric or curry - the taste will become more oriental and spicy. The greens will add more flavor and piquancy, and the mustard will make the tahini more appetizing. In a word, you can experiment!

Pasta with pekmez

A recipe for a very tasty and healthy Turkish pasta can be prepared at home from tahini with rich pekmez from boiled fruit juice. This delicacy does not contain sugar, but is rich in vitamins and minerals, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and the body’s protective functions.

Composition of ingredients

To prepare oriental sweets, you can take ready-made products in the following proportions:

• 1 part natural grape, mulberry, date or juniper pekmez;
• 3 parts prepared tahini paste;
• 1 handful of shelled almonds or walnuts.

Step-by-step cooking process

To prepare a delicious Turkish delicacy, you should take ready-made neutral tahini paste or make it yourself at home by grinding lightly roasted sesame seeds in a coffee grinder or blender to a paste, and then dilute it with a small amount of any vegetable or nut oil.

Further:

1. Sesame paste should be placed in a deep rosette or small bowl, add the appropriate amount of selected pekmez and mix to obtain a mass with a beautiful marble pattern.
2. Now you need to chop the pre-roasted nuts using a masher or a sharp knife and sprinkle them on the prepared mixture.

A wonderful dessert for the whole family.

What can I add?

You can add roasted chopped hazelnuts, peanuts or hazelnuts to the paste, the taste of the dish will be different every time.

How to serve a dish

You can serve sesame paste with pekmez for tea with toast, sandwiches or pancakes; this delicacy also goes well with ice cream or sherbet.

Tahini sauce: what to eat it with

Tahini with vegetables
You can eat tahini with literally any dish. In Israel they like to eat it with pita bread or dip bread; such a simple and uncomplicated dish is considered almost traditional. A variety of dishes and sauces are prepared on its basis.

The nutty taste of pasta goes well with vegetables and salads.

An indispensable product for vegetarians and those on a diet! Minimum calories, lots of benefits and natural herbal composition.

Add tahini to fish and meat dishes, absolutely any kind. You can also serve this sauce with roasted vegetables, potatoes, grilled dishes and snacks.

With honey

Tahini, a homemade recipe that can be easily modified to suit your own taste, is often used to prepare savory salad dressings, sweet dishes and various desserts. This product is convenient to prepare in advance and then use as needed.

It is especially useful to use sesame paste with honey in the morning as a preventive measure during the cold and flu season, as it improves and strengthens the immune system.

Composition of ingredients

To prepare sweet sesame paste suitable for long-term storage, you need to take a minimum set of products:

• 300 g fresh white sesame seeds;
• 30-40 ml of refined, odorless vegetable oil;
• 150 g honey;
• 1 pinch of sea salt.

Step-by-step cooking process

To prepare a healthy paste, you should follow a certain sequence of actions:

1. First you need to soak the seeds in cool water and put them in the refrigerator, possibly overnight.

2. Then you need to carefully drain the liquid and dry the wet sesame seeds, for which you need to spread them in an even thin layer on a flat surface covered with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. You can place the seeds in a preheated oven or microwave, stirring occasionally, and then cool completely.
4. Now you need to pour the sesame seeds into a blender glass and start grinding them at low speed, gradually adding vegetable oil and increasing the mixing speed to obtain a homogeneous mass.
5. Then you should add honey. If it is liquid and fresh, then it is easy to stir the mass with a wooden spoon. If the honey has already thickened, then it is better not to melt it, but place it in a bowl and combine with the paste using a blender until smooth.

Now you need to transfer the sweet treat into a glass jar with a tight lid. The paste must be stored in a dark place.

What can I add?

You can use unrefined sesame oil or any nut oil with a pronounced flavor, which will give the finished paste additional flavor.

How to serve a dish

This sweet paste can be served instead of dessert with tea or coffee, garnished with a pinch of cinnamon and crushed nuts. Tahini with honey works well for preparing various salad sauces and Asian dressings.

The benefits and harms of tahini

The benefits in this product are simply a treasure trove! Healthy sesame, and even in combination with the most valuable olive oil and garlic, is an indispensable product for adults and children all year round.

Here you will find vitamins of literally all types and groups, rare microelements and minerals - phosphorus, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium, Omega-3 and fiber.

There is only one harm to tahini - individual intolerance to sesame grains or other components. There is no more harm, the sauce can be eaten in any quantity! True, the more oil it contains, the more calories it contains. This is worth considering if you are watching your figure.

Tahini with orange juice

An unusual recipe for making sesame paste with orange juice can decorate and transform the taste of familiar dishes.

Composition of ingredients

For this version of the oriental dish you will need the following components:

• 100 g white sesame seeds;
• 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• 1 orange;
• 1 pinch of hot red pepper;
• 1 pinch of ground cumin;
• 1 pinch of ground coriander;
• 2-3 pinches of sweet paprika;
• 1 pinch of sea salt.

Step-by-step cooking process

Preparing sesame paste according to this recipe will require the following sequence of actions:

1. Sesame seeds can be pre-soaked or immediately fried in a dry frying pan until lightly creamy and left to cool.
2. Meanwhile, grind a clove of peeled garlic with sea salt and spices into a smooth paste.
3. Then you need to grind the sesame seeds to an oily flour, gradually combining the mixture with sesame oil to get a thick, smooth consistency.
4. Squeeze the juice out of the orange into a separate cup, removing all the seeds.

5. Now you can pour the orange juice into the sesame paste in small portions, continuing to beat at high speeds so that the mass acquires a uniform consistency of liquid sour cream.
6. Next, you need to add the spicy garlic mixture to the tahini and mix everything again.
7. Transfer the finished mixture into an airtight glass container and let it brew before using.

What can I add?

You can add crushed orange zest to the paste, which will enhance the citrus accent and brighten the taste of the dish. You can also enhance the spicy oriental notes in the dish by adding chopped fresh or dry ginger root.

How to serve a dish

With ready-made tahini, you can quickly and easily prepare hummus, marinate fish or meat, or enhance the taste of vegetable puree or soup. Sesame paste can be placed on the table separately as a sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and bright spices. To prepare delicious sesame paste at home, you need to choose fresh, high-quality sesame seeds. The grains should have a pleasant nutty taste without the slightest sign of bitterness, which appears in rancid old seeds. It is better to buy organic sesame in a special health food store that sells natural, clean products grown without chemical fertilizers.

Tahini is prepared from white sesame seeds, which are first recommended to be soaked in cold water for 4-5 hours. Then the water must be completely removed and the seeds placed in the refrigerator for another 4 hours. This process allows you to get rid of inhibitors and phytic acid found in the grain, and get the maximum amount of easily digestible nutrients. For a more nutty flavor, roast sesame seeds until light golden brown in the oven or in a dry frying pan. Roasting also helps the oils separate from the fruit more easily, making the finished paste more uniform.

It is important not to overcook or burn the small sesame seeds, so you should stir them constantly during cooking, and at the end immediately transfer them to a cold plate.

It is recommended to grind the seeds first at low speed, and then gradually increase the number of revolutions, adding liquid in small portions to make the paste smooth and homogeneous. The longer you grind the seeds, the thinner the consistency of the finished product will be. It is necessary to beat the tahini for about 10 minutes, taking short breaks so as not to overheat the equipment and grains. The finished paste will thicken a little over time, so you should take this into account when preparing, adjusting the consistency with liquid ingredients.

Do not immediately add the amounts of oil, salt, spices and lemon juice indicated in the recipe. It is better to try during the cooking process and adjust the taste of the pasta to achieve the most harmonious combination of all components. You can store the finished product for quite a long time in an airtight glass container, placing the vessel in a cool, dark place, away from a source of heat and sunlight. During storage, the finished paste may begin to separate, settling at the bottom in a dense layer and forming oil on top, then you need to mix the tahini well before use.

You should remember that the product is high in calories, so it is advisable to consume it in small doses in the first half of the day. Sesame paste is included in hummus and filafel, is used for mixing various sauces instead of mayonnaise, and is also suitable for making baked goods, halva or desserts. Tahini, prepared according to any recipe at home, is much more economical than the purchased version, and most importantly, you can make the finished dish with the desired taste and aroma, based on your own preferences.

How to make tahini sauce

Sauce with cauliflower and nuts
To prepare tahini, you need to fry the sesame seeds until slightly darkened, grind them in a blender to a smooth paste. For a lighter and more liquid consistency, sometimes water is added if desired.

Then you should add a little olive oil, lemon juice and salt, preferably sea salt. Then add a pinch of your favorite spices. Beat everything in the blender again - and you're done! The beauty is that the recipe is surprisingly simple and quick, it takes no more than ten minutes, or even five.

Tahini can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for several days, so don't be afraid to make a lot at once. And it will be so delicious that the sauce will definitely not be lost, don’t worry!

How to choose in a store

If you buy a finished product in a store, pay attention to the following parameters:

• There should be no smell or taste of rancid oil;
• The top liquid layer should be easily mixed with the main mass;
• The shelf life should not exceed six months;
• The composition should not contain unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Interesting fact! A homemade product cannot be stored for more than a month. Keep a glass container of tahini only in the refrigerator.

We hope you have learned the cooking rules - which means it’s time to move on to the question of how to use tahini to get the maximum taste and benefits!

We also recommend: Fish sauce

Tahini Sauce Recipe

Sauce with fish fingers
Now let's take a closer look at the tahini recipe with all the nuances and subtleties of the recipe.

Calorie content of tahini – 560 kcal.

Components:

• White sesame – 200 gr.;
• Garlic – 2 cloves;
• Sea salt - a pinch;
• Pepper mixture - half a teaspoon;
• Lemon juice – 3 tbsp;
• Olive oil – 100 ml;
• Cumin - a pinch.

And now the recipe:

1. Place the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan and start stirring over medium heat. Be careful not to leave the stove: it can burn quickly. As soon as the sesame seeds darken slightly, remove them from the stove and cool slightly.
2. Place the toasted sesame seeds into a blender bowl.
3. Add oil and lemon juice.
4. Salt and add spices.
5. Throw in a pinch of cumin and chopped garlic.
6. Turn the blender on high and turn the mixture into a thick, airy mass.

Your sauce is ready, enjoy its amazing taste and amazing benefits!

Step-by-step recipe: classic tahini sauce made from sesame paste

Tahini sauce with chicken
Let's try another recipe, for which you will need ready-made sesame paste. You can prepare the pasta in advance and store it in a jar in the refrigerator, and prepare new unusual sauces and dressings every day.

The sauce goes well with fried meat and fish from the oven, it is very spicy and tasty!

Calorie content 490 kcal.

Ingredients:

• Ready sesame paste – 3 tbsp;
• Mustard – 1 tsp;
• Garlic – 2 cloves;
• Sea salt - a pinch;
• Curry - a pinch;
• Black pepper, paprika - a pinch;
• Dried or fresh greens - to taste;
• Lemon juice – 2 tbsp;
• Vegetable oil – 3 tbsp.

Step by step recipe:

1. Take sesame paste and add lemon juice and oil to it.
2. Add chopped (grated) garlic and salt, season with spices.
3. Add greens and a little mustard.
4. Beat it all with a blender or whisk.

Your sauce is ready to eat!

Homemade recipe

You can also make sesame paste at home. But here it is important to take into account some recommendations. You can prepare both a salty and sweet product.

To obtain it, you can use honey, syrup, condensed milk, sugar, etc. To prepare sesame paste, take:

• vegetable oil – 70 grams,
• sesame grains – 200 grams.

How to cook:

1. Sesame should be filled with water and left in it for two hours. After this, the water is drained. The raw materials must be allowed to dry.

2. Now the seeds are fried, heating should be minimal. For frying, take a clean and dry frying pan.

3. Frying duration is 10 minutes. Sesame takes on a creamy hue.

4. When the grains have cooled, they need to be ground using a blender. Next, the crushed crumbs are mixed with oil. You will get a delicious pasta.

Bon appetit!