Sesame tahini paste is used as the base for several foods and desserts across the Middle East. In Lebanon, tahini is the base of hummus, while in Israel, sesame cookies are made from tahini are gilded in gold and silver dust for celebration. In Turkey, candy similar in texture to fudge called Halva is made from sesame tahini paste.
Tahini can be purchased ready made from most grocery stores, but it is possible to get better results making it at home. Making tahini at home can allow for the addition of other flavors to the paste, such as vanilla, chocolate, honey, ground pistachios or other nuts. Choosing to make tahini can allow the chef endless customization and a better end result no matter what is being made.
Basic Tahini Recipe
Tahini is a simple paste formed from sesame seeds and a small amount of oil. For best results, use approximately:
- 1/8 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup of sesame seeds.
Instructions
- Spray a baking sheet with an olive oil based cooking spray
- Spread the sesame seeds on the tray in an even layer and toast at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the seeds are a uniform golden brown.
- Add the seeds and the olive oil to a food processor and pulse
- Stop frequently to open the food processor and scrape the paste on the sides to mix further
- Continue pulsing the machine until the tahini is uniformly smooth and creamy
- At this point, add in crushed vanilla beans, cocoa powder, toasted pistachios or other flavorings and pulse again until combined
Tahini can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for weeks to months, but is best used right away to form hummus or deserts.
Halva Recipe
Halva is a Turkish candy similar in consistency to fudge. Made from tahini, it has a nutty and sweet flavor.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups of sugar
- 1-1/2 cups of tahini
- 1/2 cup of water
- Optional flavorings such as nuts, vanilla or chocolate
Instructions
- Boil the sugar and water with any optional flavorings to 257 degrees Farenheit to form a thick syrup
- Pour the syrup into fresh tahini and beat well as it combines
- Continue beating until the mixture sets
- beat well as it combines
- Continue beating until the mixture sets
- Press the mixture into an oiled cake tin or plastic container
- Chill for 36 hours and cut into squares
Sesame Cookie Recipe
These Israeli sesame cookies are light buttery with a fresh, nutty flavor. Use freshly made tahini paste with a little bit of vanilla bean for the best results.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1/3 cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside
- Beat together the butter and sugar until just creamed, beat in the tahini and vanilla
- Slowly add in the flour mixture, stirring constantly until the dough is moist and crumbly
- Form the dough into a large ball and wrap in plastic, refrigerate for 1 hour
- Spread sesame seeds out on a plate, roll the chilled dough into small balls and coat in the sesame seeds
- Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before moving, store in a covered container for up to a week.
Make tahini at home for any of these or other recipes. The results will be more than worth the extra effort.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
