Tahini is a thick paste made from ground sesame seeds, typical of Middle Eastern and eastern Mediterranean cooking. It is one of the essential ingredients of hummus.
Thinned with lemon juice and a little water, it becomes a creamy, slightly bitter sauce for raw vegetables, fennel, grains and falafel. In fennel ragù it adds roundness; in fritters it binds and flavours. Stir it well before using, because the oil tends to separate on top.