Lebanese Tahini

Tahini is used in Lebanese, Armenian, Greek, Cypriot, Iranian, Israeli, Turkish, Iraqi, Levantine, North African, and Bulgarian cuisines. Tahini is served as a dip on its own or as a major component of hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva. Tahini sauce is also a popular topping for meat and vegetables in Middle Eastern cuisine. Made from toasted sesame seeds with a consistency similar to peanut butter. Make it as thick as you want.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 167 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons water, or more as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in sesame seeds; toast until light golden brown, 15 to 20 seconds. Remove from heat.

Step 2

Place toasted sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons water in a food processor or blender. Grind until a thick paste forms. Add garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt; blend well. Continue to add olive oil and additional water as needed to form desired consistency; blend. Adjust salt to taste.