Recipe: How to Make Raw Tahini Dressing or Dip
Tahini is a staple food in the Mediterranean diet; it’s used in dressings and dips and even to make popular desserts like halva. Tahini is a raw sesame ‘butter’ or paste; it’s the Middle Eastern version of peanut butter but with no nasty food additives! The sesame paste version has a wonderful flavor and adds so much to raw food salads that it’s a must-have in a good raw food kitchen. Plus, sesame seeds are a great vegan source of calcium! Usually you can find it in a healthy supermarket or at a Greek, Arab or Jewish Market. If you can’t find Tahini where you live, don’t worry…it’s easy to make at home and I’m going to show you how!
The texture: In this version, I had a normal household blender and you can see that there is still some texture to the tahini. Usually it will be creamy smooth, and you can achieve a smoother version with a better blender. Believe me, it’s still delicious either way! What’s important is to not let having a cheaper blender stop you from making amazing raw food! Always do the best you can and remember, that is always better than nothing! Obviously this tahini was delicious because it was gone less than 24 hours after I made it…all relocated to happy raw food bellies full of bliss!
The plastic container: Yes, I know….you are looking at that and saying why did she use plastic? Here is my simple answer: I’m human and I don’t always have access to all the raw food prep tools I need whilst traveling (this recipe was made in Ecuador). Does that mean I throw in the towel and eat at McDonalds? NO! When you are on a raw food diet and a healthy path for life, you will find yourself in situations where you can’t be 100% perfect, but you can be 100% human. My first choice is always glass containers and that’s all I have at home. I don’t beat myself up if I have to occasionally use plastic and you shouldn’t beat yourself up either! Remember: Do the best you can with what you have, that is always better than doing nothing at all!
The recipe fast version: Grind raw sesame seeds. Add a few cloves of garlic, juice of 2 lemons or 3-4 limes, Himalayan Salt to taste, dash of cumin, cayenne pepper and paprika. Add the olive oil if desired. Add a bit of water to blend to desired consistency. Let sit for a few hours before eating. It’s so yummy, and easy to make!
Raw Tahini (Sesame Seed ‘Butter’) Recipe
- 2 cups Raw Organic Sesame Seeds
- 1-2 cloves Raw Organic Garlic (to taste)
- Juice of 1-2 Organic Lemons
- 1 tsp. Organic Cumin Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Organic Paprika Powder
- dash Himalayan Sea Salt (to taste)
- dash Organic Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- 3-4 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Cold-Pressed Olive Oil (optional)
- 1/3 cup Filtered Water (add to desired constancy)
Instructions: First, grind the sesame seeds in a blender or mini-food processor. A clean coffee grinder will also work. The blender has to be dry; it’s it wet, the seeds will stick to the sides and they won’t grind.
Add all other ingredients except the water and blend. Then, slowly add water to desired consistency. You may have to add more water or less; it will depend on how much juice you get from your lemons and what type of texture you prefer in the tahini. It may be that every time you make this recipe it’s slightly different in taste, but that’s ok! The beauty of making things fresh is that you are blending together natural flavors. Sometimes the garlic is more strong; other times the lemons have less juice. Always taste your final creation and don’t be afraid to add something more if you think it needs it!
Tip: If you buy garlic from China, you will find that it has a very harsh taste, leaves a smell on your hands on gives you terrible garlic breath throughout the day. Organic garlic does not do any of that! If there is one item to buy organic in your kitchen, it should be garlic. Stinky garlic can ruin an entire dish (and separate your friends from your too!). You can find organic garlic in some supermarkets or at any health food store selling fresh produce.
Storage: Preferably store in a glass container. This recipe should keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. This is a gluten-free, vegan, raw food recipe made with love!
Now that you have Raw Tahini, here are some yummy recipes to make with it:
>>> Recipe: Raw Tahini, Garlic and Lemon Salad Dressing or Veggie Dip…and it’s Amazing!
>>> Super Energy Raw Cabbage Salad Recipe – A mini-detox meal
>>> Raw Food Snack: Recipe for Sesame Balls or ‘Raw Halva’ Dessert
More on Raw Food:
- How to Clean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Raw Food, Detox & Healthy Living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- MSG hidden in Packaged Foods: Why I don’t buy 90% of the ‘food’ at WholeFoods
- Panama as a health destination? Warning about pesticides in fruits and vegetables
- Raw Food Recipe – Delicious Waldorf Salad
Jennifer Betesh
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