Zesty Lemon Tahini Spread

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 8
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This Zesty Lemon Tahini Spread is a versatile and vibrant addition to your culinary repertoire. With its bright lemon flavor and creamy texture, it’s perfect for elevating sandwiches, salads, or even as a dip. Quick to whip up, it’s a surefire way to impress your taste buds and your guests.

Ingredients for Zesty Lemon Tahini Spread

Tahini is the star here, lending a rich, nutty base to the spread. It’s a sesame seed paste that’s smooth and creamy, perfect for blending with other flavors. The lemon juice adds a zesty brightness that cuts through the richness of the tahini. A little water helps achieve the right consistency, making it smooth and spreadable. Garlic provides a pungent kick, while olive oil adds a hint of richness and helps bring everything together smoothly. Parsley offers a fresh, herbal note that complements the lemon. Cumin gives a warm, earthy undertone, and the combination of salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper ensures a well-rounded flavor profile with a touch of heat.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your spread is too thick, gradually add more water until you reach your desired consistency.
  • For a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic first.
  • Use a high-quality tahini for the best taste; the fresher, the better.
  • To easily mix the tahini, make sure it’s at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions

This spread is a fantastic companion to fresh pita bread or crunchy vegetables like carrots and cucumbers. It also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or roasted vegetables. For a simple but delightful meal, spread it on a sandwich with fresh tomatoes and arugula.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this spread ahead of time?
Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Is there a substitute for tahini?
If you’re out of tahini, sunflower seed butter or almond butter can work in a pinch, though the flavor will differ.
How spicy is this spread?
The cayenne pepper adds a mild heat, but you can adjust it to your preference.

Zesty Lemon Tahini Spread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a medium-sized mixing bowl. Measure out your tahini and place it in the bowl. Add your freshly squeezed lemon juice and water. With a spoon or whisk, stir these ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth. You’ll notice it thickens at first, but keep stirring, and it will smooth out nicely.

Next, add the minced garlic. If you love garlic, maybe sneak in an extra clove. Drizzle in the olive oil and toss in the chopped parsley. Now, sprinkle in your cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are well incorporated. The spread should look creamy and inviting.

Give it a taste. Adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed to suit your palate. Once satisfied, transfer your wonderful creation to a serving dish. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with extra parsley or a dash of paprika for a pop of color. Enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Bright, tangy flavor from fresh lemon juice
  • Rich, creamy texture thanks to the tahini
  • Quick and easy to prepare
  • Versatile enough to serve as a dip, spread, or sauce
  • Packed with healthy ingredients

Ingredients

1 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine tahini, lemon juice, and water. Stir until smooth.
2. Add minced garlic, olive oil, parsley, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated and the texture is creamy.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
4. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with additional chopped parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for color.

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