Tahini Dressing or Sauce
Tahini is sesame butter and can be bought in almost all grocery stores. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper and manganese, and a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, and dietary fiber. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.
This sauce has been traditionally used with falafel, but I like it as a salad dressing or a sauce with rice bowls or on chicken. Mix the sauce into a salad containing mixed greens including baby kale, arugula, and spring mix, dried cranberries, cucumber slices, chopped red onion pieces, jicama pieces, soaked dehydrate pumpkin seeds, soaked walnuts and chicken if desired. Simple, nutritious and hits that unique flavor spot that helps us all feel satisfied!
Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, it will last for up to four days.
1/3 cup tahini, well stirred
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ cup chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp raw honey
1/3 cup filtered water (use 1/2 and then decide if you need the rest based on thickness of your dressing)
Mix everything together with a whisk until smooth consistency. If you need to thin your dressing you can mix in a little more water. I often don't need the full 1/3 cup to make a runny dressing.
Meal Idea
Put one glug of olive oil into a baking dish. Add 1 sliced pepper of you favorite color. Mix to cover the pepper with oil. Place in pre-heated 350-degree oven and allow to roast for approximately 20 minutes. Stir often. Meanwhile warm left over rice and bite sized pieces of leftover chicken in a non-stick pan. You can squirt with Braggs if you like. Put rice and chicken in a bowel, pour on tahini sauce and top with roasted vegetables.