Tahini Made Easy Recipes

Steps:

• *NOTE: For best results and to save money buy sesame seeds at a natural food store in bulk bins or at Asian markets where sesame seeds are sold in larger packages. This is a much less expensive way to purchase the seeds than buying sesame seeds sold in small spice bottle sizes. Also, keep sesame seeds in tightly covered container if not preparing tahini soon as they can go rancid quickly.
• In clean, dry, large skilllet on low-medium to medium heat lightly toast the sesame seeds. Stir constantly being sure that seeds do not burn. Remove skillet and turn down heat if sesame seeds start to smoke. Toast for about 6-8 minutes then set seeds aside to cool completely. You'll know the seeds are done when they have a subtle fragrance.
• Set seeds aside to cool slightly.
• In blender fitted with steel blade or in a food processor, blend cooled seeds in two or three batches adding approximately 2 tablespoons of oil for each batch. Cover blender or processor and blend sesame seeds and oil. If appliance labors, add more oil, a little bit at a time.
• The tahini should have the consistency of thick nut butter and will be very oily. There will be some whole sesame seeds that wil not blend, which is okay.
• Scrap down sides of appliance frequently so that seeds blend well. Continue in same way for each batch of sesame seeds.
• Transfer tahini to airtight container and refrigerate up to three months.
• Yield is estimated.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread sesame seeds on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, shaking the baking sheet frequently, until seeds are lightly toasted, 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Pour cooled seeds and 1 1/2 cups olive oil into a food processor. Blend until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more oil and blend until a thick yet pourable consistency is reached.

Steps:

• For the grains: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the wheat berries or farro and toast for 2 to 3 minutes, until nutty smelling. Carefully add the water along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low and cook according to package directions, until tender. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the grains to sit for 10 minutes, still covered. Drain any remaining water, if needed. Season with salt to taste and a glug of extra-virgin olive oil. Transfer to a resealable container and set aside.
• For the herby tahini: Combine the basil, cilantro, parsley, garlic and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to chop. Add the lemon juice, tahini, honey, cumin, cayenne and 4 tablespoons of water and blitz into a smooth and pourable sauce. If the sauce is a bit thick, add in the remaining tablespoon of water and blend to combine. Season to taste with salt and transfer to a resealable container.
• For the garnishes: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Carefully lower in the eggs and cook for 7 minutes for a jammy center or up to 12 minutes for a hard-boiled yolk. Remove the eggs from the boiling water, run under cold water until cool enough to handle, then peel the eggs and set aside in a resealable container.
• Season the boiling water with salt, add the edamame and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain and transfer to a resealable container.
• Toss the radishes with the vinegar and transfer to a resealable container.
• If prepping for the week, place the lids on the containers and transfer to the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To assemble, spoon the wheat berries or farro into a bowl or container and top with the greens, green onion, vinegary radish, edamame, cabbage, avocado and a halved egg. Top with some cilantro or basil, a good helping of the herby tahini sauce and a sprinkle of za'atar.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Spread the sesame seeds on a shallow baking tray and bake, shaking frequently, until fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Do not brown.
• Cool.
• Put the sesame seeds in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade.
• Add the vegetable oil.
• Process to a smooth paste, about 5 minutes.
• Add more oil if necessary, to bring the paste to a thick pouring consistency.
• Tahini will keep stored in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator for several months.