Can the Tahini be subbed or omitted?

[pendragon1980]

I found this, can tahini be subbed or omitted? I can't find it in my local market. I do have sesame oil though.

Roasted Eggplant Dip (Serves 6 to 8 )

2 medium eggplants, peeled
1 red bell pepper, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish

[Judah]

I don't like the flavor of sesame seeds so I often leave it out of recipes.  It may affect the texture a little bit, but otherwise it would be fine.

[Outdoor Girl]

You can sub in natural peanut butter - the kind where the only ingredient is peanuts and sometimes salt.  The oil is usually separated and you have to stir it back in before you use it.

(And can we have the directions on how to make said dip?  I lurve baba ganoush but never make it.  You could also sub the eggplant with chick peas and make hummus - basically the same recipe.)

[pendragon1980]

http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=218&S=0


I do have sesame oil, would that work?

[jmarvellous]

If you do use sesame oil, I'd use significantly less than the full recommended tahini amount, and add in a bit more if it seems dry. That'd be my only recommendation for a substitute. Maaaaybe natural (unsweetened) almond butter if you have it.

IMO, tahini is pretty vital to baba ghanouj, but I don't think it'd be ruined without it.

[O'Dell]

I've used natural peanut butter and it was fine. It tasted a bit different but still good. A touch of sesame seed oil might help out but like jmarvellous said use significantly less. It can be pretty strong.

BTW, I use much more tahini in my hummus and baba ghanouj than what your recipe calls for and peanut butter worked as a substitute. For the amounts you are talking, it really shouldn't be a problem.

[Outdoor Girl]

What I might do is use the natural peanut butter and 1 tbsp of the sesame oil substituted for 1 tbsp of the olive oil.  It would give you the sesame flavour without changing the texture.

Tahini is a paste, not an oil, so swapping 1 for 1 is definitely not a good idea.

[cicero]

I found this, can tahini be subbed or omitted? I can't find it in my local market. I do have sesame oil though.

Roasted Eggplant Dip (Serves 6 to 8 )

2 medium eggplants, peeled
1 red bell pepper, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish

for this particular recipe (it's pretty much a staple in israel) you can omit the tahini and just pour some olive oil on top, or you can pour some plain yoghurt or yoghurt mixed with herbs (parsley/mint) and garlic, or even mix in some mayo (though i prefer to go the olive oil route).

[blarg314]

I can't get tahini where I am, so I generally substitute a bit of sesame oil for flavour.