Chef John’s Tahini

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons warm water, or as needed

Directions

Whisk tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt together in a bowl until smooth and thick. Add warm water a splash at a time, whisking after each addition, until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 3 hours.