Best Sweet Potato Tahini Dip With Zaatar Recipes

Sweet Potato-Tahini Dip with Za'atar image

Provided by Alexandra Shytsman

Yield Makes about 2 cups (serves 8 as an appetizer)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed
1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon sumac
Coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons filtered water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and wrap each one tightly in foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast until the flesh gives easily when pressed, about 1 hour. Unwrap and set aside to cool completely.
To make the za'atar, toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet over low heat until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add the thyme, sumac, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir and set aside.
Peel the sweet potatoes and place them in a food processor. Add the tahini, water, lemon juice, hot sauce, a few turns of pepper, and 2 teaspoons of the prepared za'atar. Puree until completely smooth. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Scrape the dip into a small serving bowl, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with a teaspoon of the za'atar.
Do Ahead
The dip can be made up to a day in advance and stored in airtight containers in the fridge.

Sweet Potatoes With Tahini Butter image

Provided by Samin Nosrat

Categories vegetables

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes of any color (about 4 medium), washed
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), at room temperature
1/4 cup well-stirred tahini
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus lime wedges, for serving
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 clove garlic, finely grated or pounded smooth with a pinch of salt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
Flaky sea salt, for serving

Steps:

Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a medium pot fitted with a steamer basket or footed colander. Place sweet potatoes in the steamer. Cover, reduce heat to medium and steam until potatoes are completely tender, 35 to 40 minutes. (Use a skewer or paring knife to check for doneness; the potatoes should be soft all the way through.)
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk butter, tahini, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic until smooth. It might seem as if the butter and liquids will never fully combine, but they will - just keep stirring! Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and more lime juice as needed.
Set a small pan over medium heat. Toast the sesame seeds, swirling the pan continuously, until seeds are golden. They'll give off some oil and start to clump together, so if needed, stir with a wooden spoon to keep them moving so that they toast evenly. They'll turn a nice deep-golden shade just as they dry off a bit, about 4 minutes. Transfer seeds to a small bowl to prevent them from overcooking.
When the sweet potatoes are tender, use tongs to transfer them to a large plate or platter. When they are just cool enough to handle, split potatoes in half lengthwise, and season with flaky salt. Spread tahini butter generously onto the flesh, and top with sesame seeds. Serve immediately with lime wedges.