It seems that during summer, for whatever reason, we get a little more creative in the kitchen. We thought there’s no one better to turn to for new recipe inspiration than the team at Whole Foods Market, where resident Healthy Eating Specialist Sara Fulton Koerbling can answer all of your foodie questions and even offer up some killer recipes, and she’ll be dropping in right here from time to time to do just that. Take it away, Sara!
I find that my dinner daydreams this time of year usually revolve around cooking outside on the grill. I don’t want to miss any opportunity to enjoy wonderful summer produce. Tomatoes, corn, okra—oh my! At Whole Foods Market, you can find local, as well as responsibly grown rated tomatoes.
This recipe utilizes cherry tomatoes that, when you grill them, brings out their natural sweetness. I like to use this as a change of pace from hummus, just don’t add the water at the end of the recipe, so it stays thick.
Unlike many dips and sauces, there is no added oil or dairy to weigh you down. It works well as a sauce for chicken or egg salad. The main ingredient (tahini) is simply a sesame seed paste, a source of healthy, plant-based fat.
This flavorful combination of sweet-and-smoky grilled tomatoes and nutty tahini makes a terrific dressing for salads, but try it over grilled vegetables or grilled fish or poultry, too.
Grilled Tomato and Tahini Dressing
The Ingredients:
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- large pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/3 cup tahini
The Process:
Prepare grill for medium-high heat cooking. Thread cherry tomatoes onto two metal skewers and grill, turning frequently until the skins begin to char and tomatoes are tender but not bursting, 4 to 5 minutes. Place in a blender with tahini, vinegar, cayenne and salt, and blend until smooth. Add water a tablespoon at a time until dressing is a little thicker than heavy cream.
Want to know more about responsibly grown? Ask any Whole Foods Market Team Member or click here. You can learn more about Health Starts Here and the Four Pillars of Healthy Eating with me, Sara, the Healthy Eating Specialist at Whole Foods Market Little Rock, or check out my blog by clicking here to catch up on our healthy eating adventures.