Until about a year ago, tahini was nothing more to me than that unfamiliar ingredient that I would add to my homemade hummus. After learning about its many health benefits, I decided to try adding it into more of my meals and recipes, and it has since become a staple topping for my toast and oatmeal, and my favorite base for dressings, sauces, and dips, both sweet and savory.

Tahini may be a simple paste of ground sesame seeds (I often describe it to people as “the peanut butter of sesame seeds!”). It is rich in nourishing fats and vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. This creamy lemon-garlic tahini sauce contains a perfect balance of flavors, and is extremely versatile. As a sauce, it is excellent over cooked veggie dishes, but it can also be thinned out by adding a bit more water to make a perfect dressing for raw salads! If you use a bit less water, it acts almost like hummus, making a scrumptious spread for sandwiches, or a dip for veggies and chips! Enjoy!