Healthy tahini with a twist

Here's an easy recipe with Tahini paste.  Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and has tons of health and skincare benefits. 

Why is Tahini so good for your skin?

It's a natural source of copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, B1 and selenium. Zinc is vital in the production of collagen and skin repair. Copper has high antibacterial and antifungal properties as well as promotes the production of hyaluronic acid which helps skin retain moisture and elasticity.

Tahini is also rich essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6. Yes they are high in calories but these are good calories! These good fats, help the absorption of vitamins which are fat soluble such as Vitamin E. 

Tahini is commonly used as a dip and is the main ingredient in hummus. However it's so versatile and you can use it in your cooking and adds a wonderful nutty flavour to your dish.

Here's a simple way to make a delicious skin loving tahini dish.

Tahini with crunchy beans and sugar snap peas

Ingredients for paste: 

1. 3/4 cup  organic tahini paste. (organic where possible) 

2. 10 dried chillies. Rehydrate by soaking in boiling water for a few minutes. Rinse.

3. 1/2 onion

4. 1 clove garlic

5. 1 tbsp olive oil

Blend all the above ingredients in a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. This is a delicious dip on it's own. It probably doesn't look enticing on it's own but beautify it by topping with something red such as chopped radish, pomegranate, chopped tomatoes or fresh chillies. Add more olive oil if you prefer a smoother consistency.

For the crunchy vegetable dish:

Ingredients:

1. Tahini paste above

2. Sugar snap peas

3. Green beans

4. Grated carrot

5. 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1.Simply heat up some olive oil. Add tahini paste and saute till it turns a beautiful brown or until the oil starts to separate from the paste.

2.Add sugar snap peas, beans. Fry till the vegetables are just cooked through but still super crunchy.

3. Add grated carrot and cook for 30 seconds.

Season to taste.