Tahini

Very popular in the Middle East, Turkey, Greece or Iran, tahineh, tahina, tahini or tahin is a condiment prepared from peeled sesame seeds, roasted at low temperature (for better flavour and reduced moisture content) and then reduced to a creamy consistency. Sesame is renowned for its high nutritional value, it is full of fibre, protein and minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus and calcium.

Generally, tahini can be used in both salty (sauces, dressings, skewers) and sweet (halawa, pastries) recipes.

In the Middle East, sesame cream is commonly combined with lemon juice and/or garlic and yoghurt to form a creamy sauce that is indispensable as an accompaniment to falafels or in the preparation of traditional hummus, baba ghanouj (eggplant caviar), foul mdamas (marinated cooked beans), or fatteh, etc... Also, it can be made into a dip for brunch or dessert by mixing it with date molasses, grapes or honey.