I stumbled upon this tahini dressing recipe while trying to jazz up my lunchtime salads. It’s like discovering a hidden gem on a stroll through a bustling street market—unexpected, yet delightful. The creamy blend of tahini with a hint of lemon zest and garlic not only transforms greens into something extraordinary but also reminds me of those spontaneous kitchen experiments that turn into household favorites.
Steps
- Gather the ingredients: tahini, fresh lemon juice, sesame oil, garlic, maple syrup, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and water. Ensure you have smooth, runny tahini for the best results.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the tahini, water, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, sesame oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture begins to thicken. It’s normal for the tahini to seize up at first, so continue whisking until smooth and creamy.
- If the dressing is thicker than desired, gradually add water, half a tablespoon at a time, whisking until the consistency is as you like.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more lemon juice, salt, maple syrup, or sesame oil to suit your preference. Enjoy the dressing on salads, roasted vegetables, or grain bowls.
Ingredients
- Tahini (smooth and runny preferred)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Maple syrup
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Water (3 tablespoons, with additional as needed for desired consistency)
FAQ
- What is tahini, and where does it come from?
- Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, originating in the Middle East. It is known for its rich and velvety texture and is a key ingredient in dishes like hummus and baba ganoush.
- What are the essential ingredients for making lemon tahini dressing?
- To make lemon tahini dressing, you’ll need tahini, fresh lemon juice, sesame oil, garlic, maple syrup, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and water.
- How can I adjust the consistency of the tahini dressing?
- If your tahini dressing is too thick, gradually add water, ½ tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. You can also tweak the taste with more lemon juice, salt, maple syrup, or sesame oil.
- Can lemon tahini dressing be used for dishes other than salads?
- Yes, lemon tahini dressing is versatile and can be drizzled over roasted vegetables, used as a topping for falafel or chickpea wraps, or added to grain bowls with your choice of grains, veggies, and proteins.
- What are some other dressings similar to tahini dressing that I might enjoy?
- If you enjoy tahini dressing, you might also like lemon vinaigrette, homemade Italian dressing, Greek salad dressing, vegan ranch, green goddess dressing, homemade Caesar dressing, cilantro lime dressing, and coleslaw dressing.
Tips
- Ensure you use smooth, pourable tahini for the dressing’s base, as thicker tahini can be difficult to blend into a creamy consistency. Brands like Soom, Cedar’s, Trader Joe’s, and Seed+Mill are recommended for their smooth texture.
- If the dressing becomes too thick while mixing, gradually add water, half a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your preferred consistency. Keep whisking even if the tahini initially seizes up; it will eventually become smooth.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences by adding more lemon juice, salt, maple syrup, or sesame oil if needed. This allows you to customize the flavor to complement your dish perfectly.
- Try using this dressing beyond salads by drizzling it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a sauce for falafel and wraps, to enhance the flavors of your meal.
Equipment
- Whisk – A small whisk is useful for combining the dressing ingredients smoothly.
- Mixing Bowl – A small to medium-sized mixing bowl for preparing the dressing.
