Tired of paying exorbitant prices for good tasting Tahini Paste? Well, make it yourself! It is so easy to make and tastes so much better than the store-bought stuff!
I love Tahini Paste so much! It's nutty, rich texture is the perfect complement to so many dishes. You may not think of it as a paste, it is usually just sold as Tahini. Store bought tahini is just ground sesame seeds with perhaps some salt and some oil to make it more pourable. Sounds easy to make? It is!
It has so many uses beyond a salad dressing or condiment for falafels. For example, it can be used in place of oil if you are making your own seitan. It gives a wonderful flavor and texture to brownies. It is a dessert topping, see Apples with Tahini and Date Syrup.
I find the store bought stuff is always so expensive. Making it yourself is so easy and is ony the cost of the sesame seeds, which is not much! I also find it tastes so much richer and better when made at home, but maybe I am just imagining that! Try making Tahini Paste yourself and let me know in the comments below!
Ingredients
- Sesame Seeds
See recipe card for quantities.
It doesn't get much simpler than having only a single ingredient! Tahini is processed sesame seeds. I would start by using hulled white seeds. We will discuss using black sesame seeds later!
Instructions
Step 1: Place the sesame seeds into a pan for toasting. This step is optional, but toasting the seeds gives it a richer flavor.
Step 2: Let the seeds toast until slightly darkened, about 5 minutes. Do not let them burn, the resulting paste will be bitter.
Step 3: Let the seeds cool, then place them into a food processor.
Step 4: Start blending the seeds on high. This picture is about halfway through, you can see that the seeds look powdery near the top. If you want to add oil or other liquids, add it at this point.
Step 5: Blend until the paste is completely smooth. This can take up to 10 minutes with the blender on high.
Step 6: Another view with the creamy sauce.
Variations
Remember, this recipe is just the tahini paste itself. Where there are variations are more when you make it into a dressing.
However, there is one thing you can do. If your seeds are older or your blender isn't high powered, you can add a tablespoon of liquid per cup of sesame seeds. I have used olive oil, grapeseed oil, and avocado oil. You could probably also use aquafaba if you want to be processed oil free.
You might like a touch of salt in your Tahini Paste. I tend to leave it out so I can determine the amount of salt in whatever I am using the paste in. If you are going to use it, add it before starting to blend the paste.
Another interesting variation is to use black sesame seeds. This gives a black paste, not a beige one, that has a much stronger flavor. You don't really need to toast the seeds if you use the black sesame seeds. You may find it a bit much for most places you would use a Tahini Paste with white sesame seeds, but you should definitely try it!
Equipment
The most important piece of equipment is a good high speed blender, like a Vitamix or some equivalent. If the speed is not very high, you can end up with a very coarse paste, though adding oil or other liquid while you are blending can help with this.
I also find I need a blender tamper to help push down the seeds while they are blending. This safely pushes the seeds into the blade of the blender while it is on.
You will also need a skillet and something to stir the seeds with if you are going to toast them.
Storage
The Tahini Paste should last in the fridge for up to a month in an airtight container. Do give it a stir if any oil has separated.
You can freeze Tahini Paste for 3-4 months. Made sure you place it in a jar or container with some room as it will expand some as it freezes. I have had jars crack in the freezer because I filled them too full. It may take a few hours to thaw the Tahini Paste once you get it out of the freezer.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Tahini Paste:
Recipe
Tahini Paste
Equipment
- 1 Blender high speed
- 1 blender tamper Hopefully your blender came with one!
- 1 Skillet if toasting the seeds
- 1 silicon spatula if toasting the seeds
Ingredients
- 4 cups sesame seeds white, hulled
- 4 tablespoons olive oil optional, see Notes
Instructions
- If toasting the sesame seeds, place them in a skillet and place them over medium heat. Stir every once in a while. Once they turn a few shades darker, about 5 minutes, remove them from the heat. Let them cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Place the seeds in a blender. Turn the blender onto high speed. Use a tamper to push the seeds into the blade. Make sure you are using the tamper according to the blender's instruction manual.
- After about 5 minutes, the seeds should be very powdery and starting to liquify somewhat Add the oil now if you are going to add it.
- Continue to blend for up to 10 minutes total, or when the seeds have turned into a thick paste that is swirling on its own in the blender.
- Place the resulting paste into an airtight container.
Comments
No Comments