Though familiar to Americans largely through their presence atop hamburger buns, sesame seeds have had a prominent place in Asian food for thousands of years. The popularity of felafel, hummus and baba ghanoush introduced Americans to tahini, a smooth sesame paste that is a key ingredient in Middle Eastern dishes. We always keep a jar or can of tahini in our pantry so we can whip up a quick batch of sesame noodles or homemade hummus when our sesame craving kicks in.

Tahini most likely originated in Persia, and can now be found in dishes from Turkey to the far reaches of Kazakhstan. Made from hulled, lightly roasted sesame seeds, tahini is high in beneficial fats and minerals, and contains a moderate amount of protein, which makes it an ideal ingredient for vegetarian dishes containing grains and legumes. Its nutty flavor gives spreads and dressings a satisfying depth and richness.

Though tahini is crucial for hummus and baba ghanoush, we also like to mix it with rice vinegar, garlic and a little soy sauce for a delicious salad dressing. Whisk a bit of tahini with some yogurt, lemon juice, scallions and fresh parsley for a healthy vegetable dip. Combine tahini with honey, sherry vinegar and a bit of fresh ginger and you have a quick sauce for grilled chicken or pork chops. Tahini in the pantry makes your favorite recipes say: open sesame!

Buy tahini online at:

http://www.thespicehouse.com/
http://www.nutsonline.com/
http://www.americanspice.com/