| Very few people use Tahini - a ground sesame | | | | -- |
| seeds - although it is available practically | | | | |
| everywhere. Tahini seeds are inexpensive, | | | | ~ Salt and pepper to taste |
| they can survive longer and can be best | | | | |
| stored in domestic refrigerators. | | | | ~ 4 medium tomatoes, cored and chopped |
| | | | |
| If you are from a Middle Eastern family, I'm | | | | ~ 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or more to |
| pretty confident that you know what Tahini | | | | taste |
| is. Just a little dash of it will make any | | | | |
| Middle Eastern dish awesome. | | | | ~ 1/3 cup tahini paste |
| | | | |
| Tahini is a bit tricky to use. When it is | | | | ~ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin |
| mixed with other ingredients, it thickens | | | | |
| really fast. If you are cooking Tahini paste | | | | ~ 1/2 garlic clove, peeled and minced, or to |
| after mixing, you will have a really hard | | | | taste |
| time stirring it. | | | | |
| | | | ~ 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped |
| Water plays a critical role in this salad. It | | | | |
| takes care of all the stirring issues when it | | | | ~ 1 medium red or white onion, peeled and |
| comes to Tahini. Add garlic and cumin in | | | | diced |
| minimum quantities, some onions, tomatoes and | | | | |
| a couple of tablespoons of hot water to the | | | | Soak onion in salted cold water while |
| salad dressing and voila! You have an elegant | | | | preparing other ingredients, about 30 |
| dish in front of you. | | | | minutes. Whisk or blend together garlic, |
| | | | tahini and cumin, and add lemon juice; the |
| Here are some interesting techniques you can | | | | mixture will become very thick. |
| use. If you like raw onions strong, you can | | | | |
| skip soaking them; but this step, known as | | | | Thin with hot water, a tablespoon at a time, |
| "killing" the onions, tames them nicely. Just | | | | just so the mixture can be spooned. It will |
| to be sure that the taste of the dish | | | | thin further when tossed with tomatoes. |
| remains, add tomatoes unseeded. The flavor | | | | Season to taste with salt and pepper. |
| and the juice which they impart are simply | | | | |
| amazing. | | | | Toss onion, tomatoes and parsley with |
| | | | dressing. Taste, adjust the seasonings and |
| I noticed that when I add cubes of stale, | | | | serve. Yield: 4 servings. |
| grilled or toasted bread, it just turns into | | | | |
| something like Panzanella and I love it that | | | | Here's a little tip: Do not hesitate to add |
| way! You can provide the finishing touches to | | | | some more ingredients of your choice to this |
| the dish by dressing it up. For a more tasty | | | | recipe. Test it out and may be you'll have |
| combination, you can add chicken or shrimp. | | | | something interesting. |
| | | | |
| I am already feeling hungry... | | | | Adding some chilis or something else can |
| | | | change completely the taste. It all depends |
| -- Tomato & Onion Salad With Tahini Dressing | | | | on you. |