Yes, we’re all enamored with tahini–that thick sesame paste that plays well with everything from miso to chocolate. How did we ever live without it?
Similarly, this yogurt-tahini sauce has become a staple in my fridge that’s already overcrowded with homemade sriracha, mayonnaise and pickle relish. But it has earned its place!
No mere condiment, this one inspires.
Take last week, for example, when I was running off to my daughter’s track meet. It was either pull together a lunch real quick or suffer the concession stand.
Yogurt-tahini sauce to the rescue. I grabbed some garbanzos (aka chickpeas) because tahini nearly calls for them {hello falafel!} along with baby spinach and roasted red peppers.
I spread that yogurt-tahini sauce a wrap, piled on the ingredients willy-nilly and drizzled on a bit more like a dressing for good measure.
I sat on the track field in the full sun and savored that improvised wrap one bite at a time, marveling at my genius.
It wasn’t me. It was this yogurt-tahini sauce. Some foods just are that good. And that indispensable.
Way to Use Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
This is the sauce I’ll be keeping around for summer, because it goes with nearly everything we’re making.
Need something other than ranch dip for a fresh vegetable platter? Or a dressing for a hearty summer salad? How about a sauce for grilled vegetables or chicken?
Have a batch ready to go in the fridge and there’s one less step to dinner. Here are just some of the ways I’ve used this delectable yogurt-tahini sauce:
- Salads: thin just a bit with water and drizzle on a mesclun mix or simple tossed salad.
- Burgers: smear it on the bun for a veggie burger, bean burger, salmon burger or lamb burger.
- Grilled meats & fish: this is your ready-to-go accompaniment for grilled leg of lamb, skirt steak or a salmon fillet.
- Raw, roasted & grilled vegetables: so far, asparagus, carrots, red peppers, green beans…or a combination.
- Wraps: for when you’re starving and need some good food to go.
Deluxe Sauce Add-ins
Plus, can we talk about the add-ins? While this yogurt-tahini sauce doesn’t need any help, there are so many ways to change it up, like:
- fresh herbs {always–right?}, like parsley, oregano, mint, chive or basil
- chopped fresh vegetables, like scallions, cucumber, red pepper or olives
- spice mixes, like za’atar, dukkah or pimenton (smoked paprika)
For this wrap, I mixed in parsley, chopped cucumber, a teaspoon of za’atar.
Call it a sauce, dressing or dip, just put this yogurt-tahini condiment on everything!
What have you made lately that you cannot live without any longer? Let me know what you’re making in the comments below or tag a photo #lynnesforage on Instagram or Facebook.
Yogurt-Tahini Sauce, Dip & Dressing
This is the summer condiment to have on hand for unlimited uses as a dip, dressing or a sauce for anything from grilled meats to vegetables or an impromptu wrap sandwich. It’s not only versatile, but you can play with the flavors with add-ins–a tasty array of ingredients that give it crunch, texture and even more flavor. It also stands on its own just as it is. Try it your way.
- 1 cup plain yogurt, any type except Greek
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional add-ins:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, oregano, mint or basil (optional)
- 2 teaspoons za'atar, dukkah or pimenton
- 1 cup diced and peeled cucumber
- 1 cup seeded and chopped red pepper
- 1 cup chopped radish or daikon
- 1/2 cup pitted and chopped kalamata olives
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Blend together the yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and salt in a mixing bowl. Let them sit at room temperature to allow the flavors to marry for about 20 minutes.
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Stir in any of the optional add-ins–or serve it plan–and taste for seasoning.
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Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks
The post A Yogurt-Tahini Sauce for Absolutely Everything Summer appeared first on Lynne Curry.