Tahini

Tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds that have been hulled and pulverized, is the peanut butter of the Middle East and just about as ubiquitous as PB is in the United States. It is, of course, the essential ingredient in hummus; it’s actually this sesame paste that defines a dip or spread as a hummus (not the chickpeas, as many people assume), but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Its fluid texture makes it easier to incorporate into recipes than stiffer, thicker nut butters, and it gives sauces and dressings a satisfying density.