Clockwise from left: Roast butternut salad with basil Hummus, my homegrown purple carrots - eat as wide variety as possible of veg, summer radish and carrot salad with tahini dressing, my fave Tahini product

Clockwise from left: Roast butternut salad with basil Hummus, my homegrown purple carrots – eat as wide variety as possible of veg, summer radish and carrot salad with tahini dressing, my fave Tahini product

It’s often at this time of year when the nights are still dark and Christmas is a distant memory that you may struggle for inspiration to eat a healthy range of vegetables. If there’s one ingredient I’d always have ready for such a situation it’s Tahini (Meridian’s Organic Light Tahini is my fave :)). It’s so versatile and not just used for making Hummus. I did first come across tahini when I started making my own hummus (see my recipes below). I don’t think I will ever go back to shop bought hummus again.

The possibility of flavours are endless but Tahini can be used as a dressing and sauce in its own right. Think crispy kale and broccoli in a creamy Tahini dressing (but a healthy protein and calcium packed dressing) or carrot ribbons with a seeds punch. There’s no need to avoid getting those veggies on your plate you just need to “big them up” now and then!

Why is it good for active people? Tahini is an excellent source of copper. You need only small amounts of copper in your diet each day, and Tahini can help you meet those nutritional needs. This mineral helps keep your blood vessels and bones healthy. You also need it to produce red blood cells, which influences the amount of energy you have for your daily activities. It is a source of the healthy fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6.  Your body doesn’t manufacture these fatty acids, so getting them from the foods you eat is critical and they are beneficial for your brain and heart. Tahini’s relatively high levels of calcium and protein make it a useful addition to vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as to raw food.

Also, if it makes your vegetables more palatable, your guaranteed to eat more and a wider variety packing in all those vitamins, minerals and nutrients essential for optimal recovery.

Here are a few of my Tahini based  sauces and dressings which can be drizzled or mixed with literally any of your favourite veg:

Sweet or Sour Tahini sauce:

2 tbsp Tahini
2 tbsp olive oil
SWEET add 1-2 tsp honey or agave syrup
OR  SOUR 1-2 tbsp lemon juice  instead of honey if you prefer a zingier less sweet option.

Add to steamed or sautéed broccoli and kale. 

Spicy Tahini sauce:

1 tbsp Tahini
1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
1tsp minced ginger
1 grated glove garlic

Add to 1 large raw carrot spiralized or cut into ribbons. Top with sesame seeds and fresh coriander. You could even add some chopped fresh chilli to heat things up?

Tahini Salad Dressing :

2 tbsp Tahini
2 tbsp olive oil
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
Small clove garlic grated.
Salt to season

Hummus

1 can of chickpeas
1 tbsp Tahini
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp cumin powder
Himalayan pink sea salt

Blend all the ingredients together (you may need to add a little water to create the correct consistency)

Top tip: Why not create different varieties of hummus by adding one of either; Basil, Sundried tomatoes, beetroot, squash (my fave is sundried tomato!)