Homemade Tahini Sauce

Tahini is one of those things that tastes better homemade and is incredibly easy to make. It is also useful in a lot of dishes to add a nutty oomph of unique flavor. Mixing it with a little olive oil and some herbs is a great way to throw together a yummy salad dressing. Drizzle it on your baked tofu or dip raw veggies in it for a healthy snack.

Of course, my favorite way to eat tahini sauce is with falafel, but this homemade version is so tasty, I’m sure you’ll find a million uses for it.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hulled sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3-5 tablespoons canola oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

1. In a small pan on medium low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sesame seeds and toast by stirring continuously until they lighten in color (about 3-5 minutes).
2. Add the sesame seeds to a food processor and process until they begin to turn crumbly.
3. Add a tablespoon of the canola oil to the sesame seeds and process for one minute.
4. Scrape the sides of the processor, add 2 additional tablespoons of canola oil and salt, process for about three minutes. The tahini sauce should be smooth, not gritty. If the consistency is too thick for your preferences, process with an additional tablespoon or two of canola oil until the sauce has reached the desired consistency.

The tahini sauce will store in the fridge for about a month, if the oils separate during storage, just bring to room temperature and stir.