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11 things you didn't know you could do with tahini

Tahini wants you to know there's more to it than just being a chickpea's sidekick in hummus.

Sesame noodles (ma jiang mian)

Source: Ben Dearnley

This thick, sesame paste has a knockout flavour you'll want to get down with, so listen up as we tell you how to get to Sesame Street.
Start thinking about that tahini jar beyond the realm of the vegetarian. These get a load of sesame flavour with a drizzle of this simple taratour, or tahini, sauce. All it needs is a squeeze of lemon to brighten it up – and a pine nut doesn't hurt, either.
At the table: Lebanese mezza
Spiced prawns with caramelised onion and taratour sauce
These crumbly little cakes may not be able to hold it together all that well, but it's their fragility that make them so beautifully appealing. Made in Greece during lent as they contain no animal products, they have tahini to thank for their sesame sweetness.
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Glazed tahini orange cakes
Tahini greens out with a little help from coriander and parsley in this . Coating curls of fennel, this new-look tahini packs a powerful punch.
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Ocean trout with green tahini and fennel slaw
The perfect accompaniment to  - get up close and personal with the power of tahini. Crushed garlic gets the ball rolling and joins up with tahini's best mate, lemon, to give this sauce a wicked citrus hit, great for cutting through the richness of the lamb.
Lamb shawarma with tahini and lemon
Lamb shawarma with tahini and lemon Source: China Squirrel
These delicious morsels are reminiscent of halva, but without the added sugar. If you want these to be more than a mouthful, by all means double the size.
Tahini shortbread buttons
Tahini shortbread buttons Source: Chris Middleton
The seeds and nuts you have come to expect from your breakfast muesli take on a more savoury side, in Shane Delia's egg and greens  (minus the ham). The combo of tahini and yoghurt is one not to miss.
Breakfast greens with fried eggs and tahini
Breakfast greens with fried eggs and tahini Source: Shane Delia's Recipe For Life
Inspired by the flavours of Lebanon and the Middle East, the stunning combination of flavours will make you look at chicken and carrots in a whole new light. If you're planning ahead, marinate the chicken the night before for a punchier flavour.
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Get into the habit of an after-dinner cigar with these . Ready in just 35 minutes, put that jar of tahini in the pantry to good use when last-minute dinner guests drop by and whip – or should we say, roll – these little treats up.
Sweet cheese, tahini and chocolate flogeres
Sweet cheese, tahini and chocolate flogeres Source: Benito Martin
We know that tahini transcends the savoury, but perhaps the sweetest and most irresistible of the sesame paste's forays into the world of dessert comes in the form of this luscious . Here, Shane Delia adds a Turkish delight and a simit biscuit to make it a grand affair, but we'd happily just take the ice-cream.
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Pumpkin, Turkish delight and tahini ice-cream
Slicked in a thick lick of peanut butter and tahini, these are so adored in their home country that noodle-lovers can even get a hit at 7-Eleven stores. We love them because in just 10 minutes, a deliciously addictive bowl of noodles is ready to be devoured. One slurp, and you'll lose it for these ma jiang mian.
Sesame noodles (ma jiang mian)
Sesame noodles (ma jiang mian) Source: Ben Dearnley
If you're mad about about chickpeas and tahini, then hummus is the obvious choice. A great go-to snack, this recipe calls on cumin and pine nuts for a little extra oomph.
Rustic hummus with cumin and pine nuts
Source: Sarka Babicka
Get your hands on more tahini magic by visiting our recipe collection

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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3 min read
Published 1 May 2015 3:15pm
Updated 22 February 2018 11:11am
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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