Tahini or Sesame paste is made of ground sesame seeds. The paste has a liquid consistency and is made using either unhulled sesame seeds or hulled toasted sesame seeds. Using toasted sesame seeds gives the sesame paste a slightly darker look and more nutty taste.

Uses of sesame paste in cooking
sesame paste is a main ingredient in many Middle Eastern dishes of which Hummus is the most well known dish where it is the most important ingredient right after the chickpeas. Hummus or humus is an Arab dip or spread made of cooked and mashed chickpeas in combination with sesame paste. sesame paste is often used in combination with lemon juice, salt and garlic to create a sauce or dip.

sesame paste is making its way into the European kitchen where it is used in salad dressings or as a spread on bread or sandwiches. Due to its oily basis it can be used to replace margarine or butter.

Benefits of sesame paste
sesame paste is a source of calcium, protein and B vitamins and is a great source of essential fatty acids (EFA) which our bodies use to maintain healthy skin. Antioxidants and vitamin E in sesame paste help to reduce the rate of ageing of body cells and slow down the aging process.

Sesame seeds are a good source of Methionine. Methionine is an important amino acid and contributor to liver detoxification. It also helps with the absorption of other amino acids.

sesame paste recipes
sesame paste can be used in a wide range of recipes of which there are a lot to be found on the internet(tahini recipes). Most recipes are for hummus or tahini dips but feel free to experiment and you will find sesame paste lends itself as an ingredient in a lot of dishes and is an excellent salad dressing.

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