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This tahini recipe is simple to make.You just need sesame seeds and olive oil.
Tahini, like baker's coconut and dulce de leche, is one of those items that people often buy pre-made without even thinking about the option of making it at home. It turns out that the homemade tahini recipe is really easy to make and tastes just as good as the store-bought kind - if not better. However, as I'll explain later, the texture of a homemade tahini is not quite the same. This didn't bother me (as tahini is typically mixed into something), but it may bother you.
Before I get to the tahini recipe, though, let's start with what tahini is and what it is used for.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste of sesame seeds and olive oil used in all kinds of Mediterranean cooking. It's often found in the ever-popular hummus and the incredibly fun to say baba ghanoush.
In my case, the tahini was used for some sesame honey cupcakes.
What's the Difference Between Store-Bought and Homemade Tahini?
My homemade tahini looks like peanut butter.Store-bought tahini is much smoother.
Faith from The Kitchn describes the difference between homemade tahini and store-bought tahini:
Commercially made tahini separates the bran from the kernel and only grinds the kernel, which is why it is so smooth and thin. At home you're grinding both the bran and the kernel in a home food processor that isn't as powerful, so the resulting tahini looks gritty and sticky... It's more like thick peanut butter with small flecks of the bran.You can see in the photo above how thick my tahini turned out. Jonathan (who on an unrelated note just bought a new macro lens - I'm lovin' the closeup sesame seed shot he was able to take) felt that the bran added a complexity of flavor that he hadn't experienced in store-bought tahini. I honestly couldn't recall what jarred tahini tasted like and didn't have a can on hand to compare. You'll have to do your own side-by-side if you care that much about this issue.
Tahini Recipe
I got the tahini recipe from The Kitchn. It's so easy! The recipe is below along with my notes.
For about 2 cups of tahini, you'll need:
- 2 C sesame seeds
- 1/3 C olive oil
First, you'll need to toast the sesame seeds.
- Heat a heavy, wide-bottomed sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the sesame seeds and toast lightly - about 2 minutes, shaking the pan so they toast evenly. Two tips here: a) I am a messy cook with limited arm strength. I have a great fear that if I toss a pan, food will end up everywhere, therefore, I tend to just vigorously stir rather than toss. b) Keep a careful eye on the sesame seeds as they go from toasted to burnt really quickly. As soon as they start to brown, they are done.
- Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
Next, you'll process the toasted seeds with the olive oil.
- Put the toasted sesame seeds in a food processor and drizzle in the olive oil. As you can see, I poured rather than drizzled. It worked just fine!
- Pulse for 3-5 minutes, or until it's as smooth as you can get it.
- Add a little more olive oil if necessary.
- Remove from food processor and store in the refrigerator.
18 comments:
Your homemade tahini looks much better than the store bought variety. I love how rustic it looks. Can't wait to try this one out.
Looks very yummy. So when can I drop by and get some? :)
Love the lens work.
Wow you made this at home.
I always buy in a jar.
Will bookmark this recipie.
Happy 2009 to you and your loved ones.
Hayley - Thanks!
Happy Cook - Glad to pass on a new idea. Hope you get a chance to try it!
Thanks for the tip. There was something about the store bought tahini that I never liked.
I'm definitely going to be trying this since tahini at the store is kind of expensive. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you so much for the tip! I would never have thought of making my own tahini - even though I always have sesame seeds and never tahini.
This is probably more cost efficient than buying ready-made tahini. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Now I can allow my husband to finish the jar of store-bought tahini that cost me almost 5usd! I will be making my own after this jar finishes!
Eat! - Hope you like this kind better.
Esi - Buying lots of sesame seeds isn't so cheap either, but it is prob cheaper than the store-bought tahini.
Brooke - Glad to help!
Cynthia - No problem! Thanks for reading!
Ergul - Yup - let him eat up!
I'm so one of those people who never thought about making tahini at home, although I make hummus at home all the time.
Have you figured out if it's cheaper to make it at home?
Thanks for the recipe...I always used the store bought ones...
Mmm, it's like sesame butter!
Loved it !!! and was really easy to make!!! Thank you
So yummy, I think it can replace peanut butter. I may try it for cookies as well as an ingredient for hummus
Hi Can I use black sesame? How can we tell that is is properly toasted? Appreciate your comments. Chua
Hi, Thanks for the recipe. I think I may have solved the lightly grainy texture issue. If you toast your seeds, cool them, grind them smooth in a coffee grinder, and then whisk in the oil. I found this to make the closest equivalent to store bought texture. thank you for the inspiration to do this at home!
Krista
Yes Krista is correct! I have read from other recipes that suggest the same tip. It practically turns the sesame seeds into a soft powder - yumm!!
http://msmccor100.blogspot.com/2008/11/marks-hummus-recipe.html
I made the best tasting hummus the other day. Thank you for sharing this!
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