Seriously Meatless: Tahina

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw sesame tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, completely crushed into a paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Juice of 3 lemons
• Optional garnishes : extra virgin olive oil, sumac, paprika, toasted pine nuts, parsley, olives

Directions

1. If the oil has separated in your tahini, stir it back together, then measure 1 cup into a good sized bowl.
2. Mix the garlic, salt, cumin and lemon juice into the tahini.
3. Start vigorously beating in cold water, 1/4 cup or so at a time, until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You'll see it start to emulsify, lighten in color and become easier to stir. It will probably take about 3/4 cup of water total.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, lemon juice, or cumin as needed.
5. The traditional way to serve tahina is in a large, flat bowl. Form a swirl with the back of a spoon, and then apply any of the garnishes listed above.