It’s Tahini Time!

Tahini is so much more than the amazing secret ingredient that helped fuel a nation-wide obsession with hummus. If you’ve never tried tahini alone before – we’d recommend it, it’s delicious and deserves to be recognized like the star it is!

Growing up in a Lebanese household, tahini was always a staple in our pantry. Traditionally, our family used tahini in many different recipes, but mostly in hummus. My Mother-in-law first introduced me to using tahini in dressing. She had this incredible homemade recipe that could truly elevate any dish. From there, we made many different versions of tahini dressings while creating dishes for the Windsor community. All of these experiences helped to inspire the rich flavours in our Tahini Turmeric dressing!

For those who don’t know, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. Technically, it’s also a nut butter! Good tahini usually tastes mildly nutty and slightly acidic, with a lightly creamy consistency. 

Although simple, tahini can be quite difficult to master in the kitchen. It’s hard to nail the consistency, and get the right balance of flavours. That’s why it’s almost always best to purchase tahini from a trusted brand who knows what they’re doing… and after years of trial and error, we’ve got tahini down to a science! 

Nutritionally, tahini is a powerhouse. It’s much higher in calcium than any other seed or nut butter on the market. Step aside milk, there’s a new bone builder in town! 

Tahini also contains a variety of essential minerals like iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. It also provides antioxidants called lignans, which can help reduce your risk of disease.

Most surprisingly, Tahini is very high in fiber and protein, and it’s a great source of healthy fat. Although it may come from a very small seed, it’s jam-packed with all of the good stuff!

So, now I’m sure you’re wondering how to add this amazing powerhouse ingredient to your everyday cooking. Well, it’s actually simpler than you might think. Because of it’s buttery qualities, a rule of thumb is that you can use tahini just like you’d use any other nut butter. 

Some inspiration to add more tahini into your life: 

• Spread it – Add it to your morning toast, or smother some on a pita to create the ultimate wrap!

Dip it – Tahini makes for a delicious dip, whether blended into a delicious hummus, or on it’s own. Pair with crispy vegetables like peppers or carrots, or even with some delicious Pita Chips.Drizzle it – Tahini isn’t only a savoury ingredient, in fact it can add richness and a touch of acidity to any dessert. One delicious use is drizzling tahini on top of cookies. Dress it up – Enjoy a richer, creamier dressing with tahini. Paired with zesty lemon and extra virgin olive oil, our Tahini Turmeric dressing is the perfect combination of flavours.

Whether you spread, dip, drizzle, dress it up or even swim in it, Tahini is the perfect addition. Warm up with this delicious nut butter and try it in one of your future creations. We’d love to see your tahini creations – be sure to tag us in your delicious dishes.