Holiday Tahini Recipes ~ As Seen on Your Morning Ottawa

For the longest time, I only used tahini when making dips (like my spicy lentil dip (recipe below) or hummus). Then one day while out on a run (where most of my culinary creations occur), I thought ‘what if I used tahini as an ingredient in a pan of blondies’ and ta-da: my Ginger Studded White Chocolate Blondies were birthed (recipe below – and they are outstanding btw!!).

New to tahini? Here’s a quick intro: it’s a smooth, creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds. I often compare it to peanut butter – it’s like peanut butter’s middle eastern cousin…ha! (as tahini is very popular in middle eastern dishes/recipes).
It has a rich, nutty and earthy flavour and is slightly bitter (I often find you may need an extra pinch of salt in your dishes when using tahini). Tahini lends itself well to both sweet and savoury dishes – and has become one of my favourite pantry staples!

Tip: the brand of tahini I prefer is Tamam. It’s readily available in most Canadian grocery stores and has a creamy and fluid consistency = easy to pour and/or measure. Some brands are very thick and I find them difficult to scoop out of the jar.

Ginger Studded White Chocolate Tahini Blondies

I’m an absolute sucker for a sweet & chewy blondie. The addition of tahini adds an earthy flavour to these simple-to-prepare squares. I hope you love these tahini and candied ginger-studded bars as much as I do!

Find candied ginger (sometimes referred to as crystallized ginger) at your local bulk food store (or in the baking section of the grocery store). Click here for blondie recipe.

Creamy Tahini Molasses Dressing

Tahini + molasses = a winning combo. The rich earthy flavour of tahini + the bold sweet flavour of molasses bring a whole new level of flavour to roasted veggies and/or mixed greens.

Dressing

• ⅓ cup (75 mL) tahini
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) Crosby’s Fancy Molasses (click here for product info)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) quality olive oil
• zest & juice of two limes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder (not garlic salt))
• ½ tsp (2 mL) each of salt and onion powder
• hefty pinch chili flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Stir together all ingredients until well combined. Note: if dressing becomes thick, add a splash or two (approx 1 tbsp (15 mL)) of cold water and whisk until smooth. FYI: when an acidity (in the case lime juice) is mixed with tahini – it tends to seize up (thicken). Adding a splash of water will thin it out enough so you can drizzle over roasted veggies and/or mixed greens.
2. Cover and refrigerate (for up to one week). Makes about ½ cup (125 mL).

Click here for my Sheet Pan Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple + Molasses Tahini Drizzle.

Roasted Cauliflower & Radicchio Salad with Creamy Tahini Molasses Dressing

~ click here for recipe.

Spicy Tahini Lentil Dip

Canned lentils and beans are one of my go-to pantry staples. This dip takes minutes to whip up, is economical, and can be made two days in advance (be sure to give it a good stir before serving).

Perfect veggie dip, or slather on sandwiches (or wraps) and/or serve as a bed for roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 (540 mL) can lentils, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup (125 mL) tahini (or ¼ cup (60 mL) natural peanut butter)
• zest and juice of one lemon
• ½ tsp (2 mL) each of chili flakes and chili powder
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• 2 cloves, garlic minced
• ½ cup (125 mL) quality olive oil

Garnish (optional): ¼ cup (60 mL) chopped fresh mint, 1 tsp (5 mL) toasted sesame seeds, ¼ tsp (1 mL) chili flakes

Directions

1. Place lentils in a bowl of food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until roughly chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until very well combined. Scrape down sides of the bowl (using a rubber spatula) when needed. Check consistency – if the dip is too thick for your liking add a splash more (about 1 tbsp (15 mL)) olive oil or water and pulse until combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. Garnish evenly with mint, sesame seeds and chili flakes before serving.

Yields about: 1 ¾ cup (425 mL).

Love this recipe? Then no doubt you will enjoy my ‘Ginger Lime Lentil Dip with Roasted Turmeric Veggies’ click here for recipe.

Char’s Sheet Pan Chickpea Pasta Shawarma with Lemon Tahini Sauce

~ click here for recipe

This Middle Eastern-inspired sheet pan pasta is loaded with flavour, vegetables and plant protein. Bonus: it’s a great excuse to use up all those spices hiding in the back of your pantry. No doubt you and your gang will be diving in for seconds! For an extra punch of fl avour, garnish each portion with homemade pickled onions (click here for pickled onion recipe).

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ can be purchased here or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury