Tahini, a versatile and nutritious paste made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple in Turkish cuisine. It serves as a base for various dishes and sauces, offering a rich, nutty flavor that enhances both sweet and savory recipes. Here's an overview of Turkish tahini, including how it's made, its uses, and a simple recipe for tahini sauce.
Making Tahini
Tahini is made by grinding toasted sesame seeds into a smooth, oily paste. The process involves:
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Toasting Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are lightly toasted to bring out their natural oils and enhance their flavor.
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Grinding: The toasted seeds are then ground into a fine paste, sometimes with a bit of oil added to achieve the desired consistency.
Uses of Tahini in Turkish Cuisine
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Mezes (Appetizers): Tahini is a key ingredient in various mezes, such as hummus (chickpea and tahini dip) and baba ghanoush (eggplant and tahini dip).
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Sauces and Dressings: Tahini is used to make sauces that accompany grilled meats and vegetables, or as a dressing for salads.
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Sweets: In Turkish sweets like helva, tahini adds a unique flavor and richness.
