I’m all about a great sauce. And this lemon herb tahini dressing is one of my top three favorite condiments. This healthy sauce is outrageously, tasty and so versatile. A perfect accompaniment to lentil kafta, roasted sweet potatoes, and black bean burgers. Drizzle tahini sauce over a green bowl or salad and make any pile of vegetables outrageously delicious. It’s the perfect balance between the nutty richness of the tahini and the right aromatic flavors of lemon and fresh herbs. With cilantro, parsley, and mint, it’s packed with flavor.
Ingredient Notes:
- Tahini- The star of this sauce is tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds. it adds a creamy and nutty base to the sauce. Tahini is the key ingredient that gives this sauce its unique flavor profile.The types of tahini you use can make a big difference in the final flavor of your sauce. KRINOS Tahini, is a great choices, is a high-quality tahini made from 100% ground sesame seeds. If you don’t have KRINOS tahini on hand, it’s important to use a high-quality brand for the best flavor. While it may be tempting to reach for a cheaper, lower-quality tahini, investing in a good brand is worth the additional cost- only a few dollars. A high-quality tahini will have a smooth texture and a rich, nutty flavor that will make a big difference in the final taste of tahini sauce.
- Parsley- adds a fresh and vibrant flavor to the sauce. It also contributes a hint of earthiness that complements the other ingredients.
- Cilantro- adds a bright and citrusy note.
- Mint- cool and aromatic element. Discard the stems as they can be tough and woody.
- Cold Water- To achieve the desired consistency, ½ cup of cold water is added gradually while blending the ingredients. The amount of water needed may vary depending on the thickness of your tahini and your personal preference for the sauce's thickness.
- Lemon Juice- the acidity from the lemon juice helps brighten the flavors of the herbs and tahini.
So easy to make:
Start by chopping the stems off of your parsley and cilantro. Don’t worry about some of the stems on the top portion of the bundle of herbs, you just want to chop off the woody stems at the bottom. The food processor is going to go to work and incorporate the finer stems from the leaf side. You do want to remove the mint leaves from the stem, the mint stem is to woody to add to the food processor.
Simply add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend on high until smooth and liquidy. If you find the mixture too thick, just add a little bit of cold ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired, honored consistency. you may have to do this because the tahini brands can vary greatly and their liquid consistency.
What to Serve it with:
Once you make this sauce you will find every excuse to eat it!! Yesterday I added it to a smashed chickpea sandwich and it was amazing. Use a potato masher to brake the chickpeas up and than mix in some herd tahini sauce. It was delious in a sandwich with tomatoes and picked red onions. This tasty sauce is perfect with a variety of dishes:
- Roasted vegetables- carrots, sweet potato fries, cauliflower, za’atar fires
- Green salads for all kind- Lentils and Kale, Harissa roaster chickpeas salad, Za’atar roasted vegetable salad
- Buddha bowls and Grain bowls with fresh vegetables
- Drizzled over Black lenits or black bean bugers
- As a dipping sauce Red Lentil Koftas
- Mezze Platter- with pita bread, hummus, fresh veggies, tzatziki and Lentil Tabbouleh
- Over cheeseless navy bean pizza
You can store the sauce for 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Alterations Option:
- A touch of Maple Syrup or honey: If you prefer a touch of sweetness in your sauce, you can add a small amount of honey or maple syrup. Start with 1-2 teaspoons and adjust according to your taste. The natural sweetness from these ingredients can complement the tanginess of the lemon and add a subtle depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Pinch of Chili Flakes: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of chili flakes can be a fantastic addition. Sprinkle in a small amount to give the sauce a subtle kick. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference. The gentle heat from the chili flakes will add a delightful contrast to the herbs and tahini.
- Lemon Zest: To intensify the lemony flavor, consider incorporating some lemon zest into the sauce. Grate the zest of half a lemon and add it to the mixture during blending. Lemon zest contains aromatic oils that can enhance the citrus notes in the sauce, providing a burst of freshness.
- **This recipe will not work with dried herbs**
When experimenting with these different ways, start with small quantities and gradually adjust to achieve the desired taste. Remember that each addition can affect the overall balance of flavors, so it's important to taste and adjust accordingly. These alterations can add new dimensions to the sauce, allowing you to personalize it according to your preferences. Have fun exploring different combinations and create a lemon herb tahini sauce that suits your taste buds.
If you’ve tried this Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Recipe
Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- 4 tables spoons olive oil
- ½ salt
- ¼ black pepper
- ¾ cup tahini
- ½ cold water
- ½ fresh lemon juice
- 2 fresh garlic cloves
Instructions
- Chopping the stems off of your parsley and cilantro.
- The food processor is going to go to work and incorporate the finer stems from the leaf side.
- Remove the mint leaves from the stem, the mint stem is to woody to add to the food processor.
- Simply add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend on high until smooth and liquidy.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!