If you love hummus, then you will surely love Tehina (also
called as Tahini) -- a creamy, nutty paste made from ground sesame seeds. Tehina
is an ancient Middle Eastern paste or butter that made from toasted ground
sesame seeds which is perhaps comparable to the peanut butter, but without
sugar. It's extremely versatile and can be used in cooking sweet and savory
dishes. Simple and perfect, it’s a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean
cuisine, and you’ll find it in most of the Habayit’s dishes.
One of the most common uses of Tehina is mixing it with
pureed chickpeas to make the Middle Eastern dip hummus, one of Israel’s most
celebrated foods and Habayit’s local favorites. Tehina gives that tempting,
smooth texture to the chickpea based dip Hummus. But Tehina isn't just an
ingredient in a dip. This creamy paste is much more than a background flavor. It
stands on its own as a salad dressing, marinade and even as a cooking sauce for
meat. It can be consumed with vegetables, on bread or crackers, or used as a
dip for a variety of other food items depending on your preference.
Tehina is an essential constituent of Israeli cooking and
being one of the best Israeli style restaurants in Santa Monica, Habayit uses Tehina
in most of the cuisines. In Habayit kosher restaurant, Tehina is often served
in the form of a blended Tehina sauce, which includes mixing Tehina with lemon
juice, water, salt, and garlic. It’s rich, creamy, perfectly smooth, nutty and tangy flavor
helps
to balance spice or add a savory edge to the cuisines. Its subtle
garlic flavor enhances the toasted sesame flavor and
creates a flavor profile that pairs well with all sorts of Mediterranean dishes.
Tehina is a versatile paste, and can be used as a topping,
side dish, sauce, spread, or appetizer for a variety of dishes. It is tasty,
low-fat, and can be mixed with other ingredients to create unique, zesty
dressings. Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine often includes Tehina on the side
as a dipping sauce for meat dishes such as grilled chicken. It can also be
drizzled over sandwiches such as shawarma or barbecued meat. It is also a major
component in baba ghanoush, and can also be turned into a variety of sauces
that can be enjoyed with falafels, roasted eggplant and other vegetables.
More than simply a substitute to peanut butter, Tehina is a crucial
element in many cuisines we are probably eating without even knowing it. We have
always known Tehina as an ingredient of hummus. But a variety of recipes exist
using Tehina as a main component. It can be used by itself as a sauce or mix it
with other ingredients to make other sauces and dishes. A good Tehina sauce is like a light whipped
cream which can be served alongside
a kosher meat meal as a dairy-free alternative to cream sauce. You can make
your dishes irresistibly creamy by adding Tehina.
Tehina is one of those super foods that are both incredibly
versatile and nutritious is rich in minerals such as iron, calcium and
magnesium. With sesame flavor and a texture like peanut butter, this versatile
paste gives a creamy twist to dressings, dips and desserts. Are
you looking for a creamier nutty spread but staying away from dairy products?
Then Tehina will be absolutely perfect for you! Visit Habayit Jewish style restaurant in Santa Monica to know the taste
of real Middle Eastern Tehina!
