Middle Eastern Tahini and Yogurt Appetizer

Dreamer in Ontario's Note:

In the Middle East, it has long been believed that, when combined with vegetables, tahini dishes become the ultimate of human edibles. Found in the Toronto Star web site

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaf, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• olive oil

Directions:

1. Put yogurt, tahini, cilantro, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne in medium bowl and stir with wooden spoon until blended.
2. Spread mixture on small serving platter.
3. Decorate with tomato and drizzle with olive oil before serving with assorted veggies and/or pita bread.

Reviews

[Cookgirl]

Used mostly all local ingredients to prepare this recipe. The mixture was pureed in a food processor along with 506 small cherry tomatoes. Served with a platter of fresh vegetables: carrots, bell pepper, raw zucchini, cucumber, the cherry toms, celery with leaves and red radishes. Arabian Pita Bread to accompany the dish and a plate of fresh seasonal fruit: watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. Really delicious especially adding a few of the cherry tomatoes. Reviewed for Veg Tag/September.

[White Rose Child]

Like YUM. XD This was excellent. I was disappointed to realize I'd forgotten to buy fresh cilantro, but I used some dried leaves instead. I also used a silken tofu blend as the base (my usual sub for yogurt, as our store only carries soy yogurt sporadically). As the last review suggested, I cut down the vinegar to 2 Tbsp. That was plenty. I miiight have used an extra spoonful of tahini *giggles like a sesame fiend*. I ate this with veggies and light Italian loaf to sop it up. Soooooo delish. Thanks for a keeper! Made for ZWT, SSaSSY.

[JanuaryBride]

I served this dip with carrot sticks and pita chips but unfortunately this just didn't do it for me. I felt the vinegar was the primary flavor (and I even only put in 2 T), so I added extra tahini to mellow it a bit with no success. Now, that being said, I am not a huge lover of Middle Eastern foods - but I do love all the ingredients in this recipe so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I am sure this would appeal to others! Made for ZWT6 for my fellow SSaSSy. THANKS!