Bursting with vibrant color photos and endorsed as a "flavor revolution" by fellow food enthusiast and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame by Rachel Belle unlocks innovative uses for a pantry ingredient deserving of its turn in the spotlight. Food lovers eager to expand their recipe repertoire will enjoy Belle's easy-to-follow, globally inspired creations celebrating the humble sesame seed and the starring role it plays in dishes "from the Middle East to the Midwest."
Tahini, made from toasted sesame seeds, is an excellent "understudy for peanut butter when allergies are at play." Paired with chili crisp, tahini brings a nutty depth to gingery chicken meatballs, which feature "the greatest hits of Asian flavors," but its versatility also carries over to breakfast, party snacks, entrées, and even desserts. Belle's sesame-crusted waffles feature "the delicious marriage of tahini and maple syrup," while its addition to almond cake renders the finished result moist and tender. Tahini-spiked pita-chip nachos with chicken shawarma, an ingenious combination, are "tangy, crunchy, creamy, and zesty."
Hummus, a beloved Middle Eastern appetizer, has a complex cultural history. Belle pays homage to its Arab roots, noting its emotional resonance with the people of Palestine and Israel. After trying her "ethereally creamy" Israeli-style hummus, she warns, readers will be unable to go back to the store-bought version.
Belle, who is based in Seattle, Wash., and is an editor-at-large at the Cascade PBS public television station, is the creator and host of the podcast Your Last Meal, a James Beard Award finalist. Belle's first cookbook embraces the flavor and nutritional potential of "one of the most ancient ingredients." --Shahina Piyarali