There are often days when I will open my fridge and feel stumped about what to make. It’s usually right around dinner time. Some days, I’ll be lucky enough and my husband will be home to pull a little something together for us. I like to think of him as my “Refrigerator Ninja” because there will 
seriously be almost nothing in the fridge and yet he manages to make something yummy (like this tahini spread).
If you too have those nights where you secretly hope for a Refrigerator Ninja to appear in your kitchen, prepare a little bit of this “Unexpected” Tahini Spread this weekend. Then next week when you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, tuck a scoop of it into a veggie wrap with sliced carrots, mixed greens and cherry tomatoes, serve it up with a salad (I like this one) or slather it on a toasty piece of bread and enjoy it with a veggie stir-fry.
Just getting started with meatless meals? More and more health darlings are celebrating a day filled with veggie-centric meals one day a week as a gentle way to boost their body’s natural feel-good work. There are many reasons why, of course, but I personally have found that my skin looks better, my energy is greater and I just feel better.
“Unexpected” Tahini Spread
Serving Size: Makes 1/2 cup
I adore the addition of the toasted sesame seed oil and a generous serving of crunchy sesame seeds in this recipe. Don’t be shy with the toasted seeds, in particular!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups cooked garbanzo beans
2 tablespoons tahini*
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 – 1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup fresh parsley*, finely chopped
juice of 1/4 lemon*
1/2 teaspoon lemon* zest
Sea salt and pepper
water
(* Buy organic, if possible. Learn more here.)
Better-for-you ingredients
Learn more about the better-for-you ingredients in this recipe:
- Legumes – Legumes, a class of vegetables that includes beans (like garbanzo!), peas and lentils, are a favorite of health beauties as an alternative source of protein and fiber. Learn more here.
- Tahini – Made of ground sesame seeds, tahini is a very good source of copper and manganese as well as a good source of calcium. Copper helps your body absorb iron. Iron, of course, delivers oxygen to your heavenly tissues and beautiful brain. A well oxygenated body is a vibrant and energetic one.
Directions
Place sesame seeds on a baking sheet under the broiler for 30 seconds – 1 minute, until just brown and toasty. Set aside.
Place garbanzo beans (all but 1/4 cup) into a food processor with sesame oil, tahini, lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Thin with water if desired. Pour into a serving bowl.
Fold in toasted sesame seeds and remaining garbanzo beans. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!
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