{"id":"recipe_2e0c548171","slug":"homemade-tahini","title":"Homemade Tahini","description":"A smooth, creamy, and nutty Middle Eastern staple made from toasted sesame seeds. This versatile sauce is the base for hummus, baba ganoush, and many Mediterranean dressings.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups hulled sesame seeds","name":"Sesame Seed","quantity":280,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"hulled","notes":"","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2-4 tablespoons neutral oil","name":"Neutral Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"Grape seed, avocado, or light olive oil; use more for a thinner consistency","group":"Main","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"A pinch of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Main","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the sesame seeds in a wide, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let them brown.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the sesame seeds","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Transfer the toasted seeds to a plate and let them cool for a few minutes. Moving them out of the hot pan prevents further cooking.","group":"Preparation","title":"Transfer the toasted seeds","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the seeds to a food processor or high-speed blender. Process for 1-2 minutes until a crumbly paste forms.","group":"Blending","title":"Add the seeds to a food processor or high-speed blender","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Blending"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add 2 tablespoons of oil and a pinch of salt. Continue to process for another 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is smooth and pourable. If it's too thick, add more oil one tablespoon at a time.","group":"Blending","title":"Add 2 tablespoons of oil and a pinch of salt","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Blending"}],"notes":"You can use unhulled sesame seeds for a more bitter, earthy flavor, but hulled seeds are standard for a creamy texture. Be careful not to over-toast the seeds as they can turn bitter quickly.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["roast","noCook"],"equipment":["Skillet","Food Processor or Blender","Spatula"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","paleo","keto","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb"],"allergens":["sesame"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"cup","note":"Yields approximately 240ml of sauce"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Tahini can be made well in advance and stored in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight glass jar. Oil separation is natural; stir well before using.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2e0c548171%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c2bc469-8511-48e9-93d9-d006572810d3","imageAlt":"Homemade Tahini — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tahini","sesame","vegan","dip","condiment","homemade","middle eastern"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Tahini","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:34:58.178Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:34:58.178Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2a8e5a87b3","slug":"fresh-mediterranean-lemonade","title":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","description":"A refreshing and classic Mediterranean-style lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. Perfect for summer gatherings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2a8e5a87b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c31f43d-1226-4728-8afc-7859baa17251","imageAlt":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","mediterranean"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"haydari_3fdc2dc492","slug":"haydari","title":"Haydari","description":"A thick, creamy Turkish meze made with strained yogurt, feta cheese, fresh dill, and fragrant mint-infused olive oil. This refreshing sauce is perfect for dipping warm pita or serving alongside grilled meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","keto","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhaydari_3fdc2dc492%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=6cada5cf-05cb-4e7c-8a86-c67d84d8fecf","imageAlt":"Haydari — recipe cover","tags":["dip","yogurt","turkish","meze","healthy","keto","vegetarian","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}