Tahinimadeeasy Recipes

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:

• *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:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or butter a 9- to 9 1/2-inch pie pan.
• Combine the cookies, espresso powder and salt in a food processor until very finely ground. With the food processor running, drizzle in the butter and blend until combined. Transfer the mixture to the pie pan and pack it very firmly on the bottom and sides. Bake for 6 minutes.
• For the fudge: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, espresso powder, salt and heavy cream and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, whisking, until smooth and glossy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• When the crust is done baking, pour most of the fudge into the crust and spread it evenly around the bottom. Reserve a few spoonfuls to drizzle on top. Stick the crust in the fridge to cool completely while you make the filling.
• For the filling: Combine the cream cheese and tahini in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip until smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch or two of salt (if there's salt in the tahini already, you'll just need a little bit or none-you can add salt to taste!), and beat until combined. With the mixer on low, drizzle in the heavy cream, then gradually increase the speed to high and mix until pale and fluffy. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust, then drizzle with the reserved fudge (if it's firmed up by now, you can reheat it gently until it's drizzly), swirl it around, sprinkle with flaky salt if desired, then let set in the fridge for 4 hours or up to overnight. Enjoy!