Tuesday 23 December 2014

TAHINI - MUCH LOVED MIDDLE EASTERN DIP


TAHINI is basically SESAME SEEDS BUTTER. Traditionally Tahini is made by soaking sesame seeds for a day in water. Then the seeds are crushed to separate the bran from the kernels. The crushed seeds are put into salted water, where the bran sinks, but the kernels float and are skimmed off the surface. They are toasted, then ground to produce their oily paste.

Tahini is a nutritional powerhouse, being high in vitamins E, F and T, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, biotin & choline. It is also a source of Vit A. Tahini is also 20% complete protein making it a richer protein source than milk, soya beans, sunflower seeds & most nuts. Tahini is claimed to be the best source of calcium & unlike dairy products it is not mucus forming. 


In countries like Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria & Palestine, Tahini is a staple food stuff prepared with mashed garlic and lemon juice. It is served as a dip with Arabic breads, as a topping for Falafel & Shwarma and forms a major component in many Middle Eastern Spreads. It is also used as a coking sauce for meat and always served as a side with fish. Tahini is also used in Middle Eastern Desserts like Halva.

There are two types of Tahini, light and dark. The light version is considered to have both the best flavour and texture.

Tahini will not go rancid or spoil even if it is not refrigerated after opening as the natural preservatives in Tahini that is seasamin and sesamol stabilise it.

I was introduced to this wonderful dip after I moved to Dubai. Although Tahini is widely available in most supermarkets across the Globe today, trust me friends nothing tastes as delicious as homemade tahini. So here I am sharing with you the very simple and easy way to make this creamy, delightful dip.



TAHINI WITH GARLIC AND LEMON RECIPE :

CUISINE : MIDDLE EASTERN
TYPE : SIDE, DIP


INGREDIENTS : 


1) 250 gms of Hulled Sesame Seeds. Both Hulled & Unhulled Sesame Seeds are available in the supermarkets. The hulled sesame seeds give a more subtle taste to the Tahini which is more acceptable to all palates. If you like strong flavours use Unhulled Sesame Seeds.


2) 6-8 Pods of Garlic Peeled. I love garlicky flavour. If you don't decrease the number of Garlic Pods.

3) 1 Lemon

4) Salt to Taste

5) 1/2 Cup Olive Oil. If you are counting the calories use 1 tbsp instead. It tastes equally yummy. You can also use extra virgin Olive Oil.


GET PREPARING THE GARLICKY TAHINI DIP WITH ME IN EASY STEPS : 


STEP 1 & 2 : I have not roasted the sesame seeds in my recipe. But you may toast them if you like. There is no need to soak as I am using hulled sesame seeds. So I directly take a food processor and put the sesame seeds, garlic pods, salt and about 2 Tbsp of water and give it all a couple of whizzes. The texture of the paste will be coarse after this and that's fine as we do not want the paste to be smooth at this point of time.


 

STEP  3 : Now add in a little Olive Oil and lemon and wizz it further for a couple of minutes. Keep adding more oil till you get a silky smooth paste.  Please note if you will not consume the entire Tahini paste after a short duration of time and want to store it for weeks, maybe months, do not add lemon now and only add while serving. Also for those who want to add less oil, add 1/2 tbsp of Oil now wizz till you get a very fine smooth paste and leave the remaining oil to pour on top when the dip is ready to be served.
Check for seasoning and add if required.


Serve the dip by pouring olive oil over it.

TAHINI WITH GARLIC AND LEMON RECIPE :

CUISINE : MIDDLE EASTERN
TYPE : SIDE, DIP


INGREDIENTS : 

1) 250 gms of Hulled Sesame Seeds. Both Hulled & Unhulled Sesame Seeds are available in the supermarkets. The hulled sesame seeds give a more subtle taste to the Tahini which is more acceptable to all palates. If you like strong flavours use Unhulled Sesame Seeds.


2) 6-8 Pods of Garlic Peeled. I love garlicky flavour. If you don't decrease the number of Garlic Pods.

3) 1 Lemon

4) Salt to Taste

5) 1/2 Cup Olive Oil. If you are counting the calories use 1 tbsp instead. It tastes equally yummy. You can also use extra virgin Olive Oil.

GET PREPARING THE GARLICKY TAHINI DIP WITH ME IN EASY STEPS : 


STEP 1 & 2 : I have not roasted the sesame seeds in my recipe. But you may toast them if you like. There is no need to soak as I am using hulled sesame seeds. So I directly take a food processor and put the sesame seeds, garlic pods, salt and about 2 Tbsp of water and give it all a couple of whizzes. The texture of the paste will be coarse after this and that's fine as we do not want the paste to be smooth at this point of time.


STEP  3 : Now add in a little Olive Oil and lemon and wizz it further for a couple of minutes. Keep adding more oil till you get a silky smooth paste.  Please note if you will not consume the entire Tahini paste after a short duration of time and want to store it for weeks, maybe months, do not add lemon now and only add while serving. Also for those who want to add less oil, add 1/2 tbsp of Oil now wizz till you get a very fine smooth paste and leave the remaining oil to pour on top when the dip is ready to be served.
Check for seasoning and add if required.

Serve the dip by pouring olive oil over it.

CHECK LIST :

1) Sesame Seeds, 2) Garlic Pods, 3) Lemon, 4) Olive Oil, 5) Salt.


ReferenceO CHEF
                    NATURAL THERAPY PAGES
                    WIKIPEDIA

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