Tahini Toasted Sesame Paste
Tahini Toasted Sesame Paste is most often used in hummus, but I’m finding I love it in dressings and sauces too. Toasting was key, it elevates the flavor simply but wonderfully.
I promised I wouldn’t keep you waiting and here it is…Tahini Toasted Sesame Paste. I can tell you that it’s easy and it is, but I also know that sometimes even easier would be to open a jar of Tahini and a can of chickpeas and be done with it. Still, not to twist your leg or anything, this homemade version of Tahini that starts with toasting the seeds is beyond incredible.
This is phase three of the ingredients for a homemade Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Hummus. And while I have enjoyed making some of the key ingredients from scratch, don’t let my adventure keep you from making it easier for you if so inclined.
When I read the ingredients on the jars of Tahini I found at Sprouts, they all included sesame seeds and olive oil; I couldn’t help but think…wait, I can do that! So I did. The beauty of making it from scratch is that I could toast the seeds. Tahini Toasted Sesame Seeds is a real step above and I like sesame seeds. But I LOVE them toasted so it stands to reason that the paste made from them would be elevated too, right?
And I was right. The second time I tried at least. The first time? They did not burn but were just a warmer brown and very clearly toasted and I am so glad I took a quick taste before adding that paste to other ingredients. It did not taste burnt because it was not, but the taste was leaning towards bitter.
So listen carefully please? Just a couple of minutes is all that is necessary; just enough to turn more off-white than white; once you see a couple start to get brown; remove them from the fire and dump them on a plate or a cookie sheet so they don’t cook anymore at all.
See those seeds in the pan? They are ‘just barely’ darker than when they came out of their packaging from the market. If you walk away and leave them and they turn actual brown? See if Mikey will eat them but do not use them in tahini, OK?
Tahini sounds so exotic but it could not be easier. It is simply the toasted seeds blended in a blender or food processor until the seeds are broken down and the oil is released and they emulsify into a paste.
I added a bit of olive oil to make sure it’s smooth but just a bare minimum amount. That’s it, really. So go on, buy a container of it to use or really, please don’t, making it yourself is just so easy.
Now that we’ve made it through the first three steps of making homemade hummus, namely roasting the garlic, making the chickpeas in an Instant Pot and today preparing the Tahini Toasted Sesame Paste, next up is the end result of this challenge, the real deal, this Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Hummus. Isn’t she lovely?
I’ll post the final wrap up on Tuesday for this absolutely amazing, delicious, to die for, yummy Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Hummus. If you’re following along and want to make it soon; you’ll need to have some artichokes on hand (canned or packed in oil and rinsed), fresh lemons, pine nuts, and parsley.
Yes, pine nuts are pricey so a couple of suggestions. I think they can be found at some bulk bins so you can just buy a small amount but in lieu of that; try toasting some chopped walnuts, they are most often my go to when I’m substituting for pine nuts.
Here’s the finished lineup for everything that came together in the Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Hummus. Mixing up some ingredients and changing flavors is so easy…watch out for the Sun-dried and Roasted Garlic version I made showing up soon!
Want to make the Artichoke Hummus? Here are all the parts!
- Instant Pot Roasted Garlic
- How to Prepare Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) in the Instant Pot
- Tahini – A Toasted Sesame Paste
- Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Hummus
PIN IT! ‘Tahini Toasted Sesame Paste’
Tahini – Toasted Sesame Paste
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds about 5 ounces
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt optional
Instructions
Toast the Sesame Seeds
- Put the sesame seeds into a dry, wide skillet set over medium-low heat and toast, stirring constantly until the seeds become fragrant with a very light color; about 3-4 minutes. Do NOT brown.
- Immediately remove the seeds to a plate or flat pan to cool; leaving them in the skillet may allow them to burn.
To Make the Tahini
- Put the sesame seeds into a blender or the bowl of a food processor. Process until the seeds form a crumbly paste that sort of stick together, about 1 minute
- Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and blend or process for 2 to 3 minutes more, stopping to scrape the bottom and sides of your appliance a couple of times until the mixture is smooth.
- Add additional oil if necessary until the Tahini is just barely pourable. Season to taste with salt and pepper and process again until thoroughly combined. Chill until ready to use.
I made this. I toasted a small jar of sesame seeds (expensive!)and made the tahini. Quantity was under half of what recipe called for, but even so the hummus turned out Sooo delicious! My family raved at how good it was!
Thanks for sharing Carole…so glad it worked for you!
Tahini is good stuff! Don’t often make it because I can buy good quality, but homemade is definitely the best. Your hummus must be wonderful if you’re using this in it!
I would have bought it except the store I was at was out and then when I found some at Sprouts (and bought it) I saw the sesame seeds in the bulk bin on the way out and decided I would like to try it with toasted seeds first. I liked it so much I’ll probably return what I purchased and just keep doing this. It’s almost too easy to call it a recipe though isn’t it?
Hi.. Awesome Recipe…I am on your Mailing list and following you on facebook since very long Time..Today I am pleased to follow you on Twitter..Instagram and Pinterest…Tahini is very rich in Nutrition and Health benefits..We , in the middle East use it with Hummus.make Special Dressing Sauce for Fish..Falafel etc.But Very Important recipe is to Use tahini to Prepare Main Dish of Pumpkin in the sauce of Tahini ..Thank you very Much
Thank you! I have a friend who gave me some ideas too so I’ll be using it more often. She uses it for a dressing for salad and suggested it’s great served over roasted vegetables. I don’t why I didn’t do this before; I loved sesame seeds!