Tahin, tahina, tahini... different pronunciations for the same thing: sesame cream. A key ingredient in Turkish and Lebanese recipes, it can be found in your kitchen to combine pleasure and health. Discover the advantages of sesame puree to be found in the shelves of santi-shop!

What to do with tahini?

We can't talk about tahini without mentioning hummus! Nevertheless, this Lebanese dish is not the only option... You can add it in :

• the pizzas

• pasta

• quiches

• in tartinade

• sauces and accompaniments

• vinaigrettes

• soups

Where does tahini come from?

TahiniTahina or tahini is a cream obtained by grinding sesame seeds. This ingredient is found in many traditional oriental dishes. It brings a delicate flavor of sesame with a touch of creaminess. Packaged in jars, it can be kept for a very long time at room temperature, away from light, in your kitchen cupboard or in the refrigerator. 

Did you know? Sesame is an excellent source of plant calcium

The benefits of tahina 

The tahina is rich in fiber. It regulates the transit and provides food for the good bacteria of the intestinal flora. It is also a good source of protein, which will interest vegetarians or vegans. Moreover, its concentration in vitamin E gives it antioxidant properties and cellular protection against the harmful effects of free radicals.

 On the other hand, sesame puree is rich in minerals and trace elements as suggested by the presence of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper and iron. 

Finally, sesame being an oleaginous seed, it contains good quality fatty acids .

White tahini or whole tahini?

Il existe le tahin blanc et le tahin complet. Le tahin blanc est préparé à partir de sésame blanc auquel l'enveloppe a été retirée. Alors que le tahin complet contient toute la graine, enveloppe incluse. Le tahin blanc est donc plus digeste alors que le tahin complet, lui, est plus riche en nutriments. Pour allier les deux, il est possible d'opter pour du tahin semi-complet. 

Cooking with sesame puree

If the oil rises to the surface of the jar, stir well before using the tahina. Sometimes the sesame puree is a little too thick for certain preparations. It is then possible to loosen it with a little water or lemon juice. It can be used as a condiment or sauce in dressings or side dishes as an alternative to mayonnaise, mustard or tomato sauce.

Eaten hot or cold, it goes well with both savory and sweet preparations.

Tahin recipe idea, salted version:

In a bowl, add :

• a tablespoon of tahini,
• a dash of lemon juice or cider vinegar,
• salt,
• crushed garlic,
• a touch of cumin and
• olive oil.

Mix well and here is the base of a vinaigrette for your raw vegetables or a sauce to dip raw vegetables in as an aperitif or a marinade to let beef or vegetable brochettes rest before cooking.

Sweet recipe idea with tahini: Vegan cookies

This vegan cookie recipe is taken from the website : Vegan cooking for beginners.

Ingredients:

• 150 gr flour

• 5 gr of baking powder

• 1 pinch of vanilla powdered

• 80 gr of cane sugar

• 90 gr de tahin

• 100 ml of plant milk

• 50 gr of raisins

• sesame seeds for sprinkling (optional)

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.

• In a bowl, put the flour. Add each ingredient (except the sesame seeds) in order, mixing well between each ingredient.

• On the baking sheet covered with baking paper, place about ten small piles. Crush them a little, without trying to give them a perfect shape. The important thing is to space them out because they will increase in volume when they are cooked.

• Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (watch: they should be golden but still soft).