Sweet Potato–Tahini Dip With Za'atar
3.8
(6)
Since the base of this dip is so simple—it's mostly sweet potatoes and tahini—homemade za'atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend) really helps the flavors stand out. This recipe makes a bit more za'atar than you'll actually need, so use the leftovers to sprinkle on roasted vegetables or on bread dipped in olive oil.
Ingredients
Makes about 2 cups (serves 8 as an appetizer)
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
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.
Step 5
Scrape the dip into a small serving bowl, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with a teaspoon of the za'atar.
Do Ahead
Step 6
The dip can be made up to a day in advance and stored in airtight containers in the fridge.
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Reviews (6)
Back to TopA relatively simple to make and interesting alternative to hummus. I did not add more tahini as some did.
Diane MC
Larkspur CA
2/7/2022
I too wanted a lower-carb hummus. I had combined sweet potatoes and garbanzos before with good results, so I made two simple modifications here and it tastes more like a traditional hummus - delicious! I added 3-4 cloves of garlic and doubled the tahini. I served it with sliced root veggies - carrots, turnips, radishes (and celery).
jltnelson968
NC
11/18/2018
I agree with 7UV9. Way too sweet and not tasty at all.
CMP25
WA
4/28/2018
I can't explain why, but this dip recipe really does not work. It is, in spite of the spice of the za'atar, sickeningly sweet. I wanted to like this to have an alternative to hummus dip. This one would, for my taste, require a lot of adjusting. I don't think it is worth that effort.
7uv9
WA
11/25/2017
This was delicious! We garnished it with pomegranate and couldn't eat enough of it! I needed about twice as much lemon juice and twice as much water as the recipe called for to get to the desired consistency, but I'm sure starchiness varies from potato to potato.
Anonymous
Charlotte, NC
11/24/2017
Easy and tasty if you adjust seasonings. I adjusted the amount of tahini to my taste. Here the quality of tahini matters. Also upped the lemon juice, pepper and hot sauce once again for my taste. You may need to adjust liquids for a better consistency. Good base recipe though. Harry
Harry
West Palm Beach; Florida
9/14/2023
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