recipe: spicy tahini sauce

Everyone really liked the sauce I used on my falafel at the bean cookoff, so I thought I'd try and put the recipe down. It was sort of slapdash so the quantities are more of a guess than anything, just adjust things to your own tastes.

JEN'S SPICY TAHINI SAUCE
-3 tbsp tahini
-2 tbsp milder, thick hot sauce
-a few drops of a stronger, thin hot sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)
-1 tbsp aioli garlic mustard ***see notes below
-pinch each of cumin, cayenne, and chili powder
-1/4 tsp sea salt
-juice from half a lemon
-a bit of olive oil
-3-4 tbsp of water

for the aioli mustard:
I had a jar of this in the fridge I wanted to use but it wasn't vegan, so I adapted my own. Mix together the following (this will obviously make a little more than you need for the sauce, but extra isn't a bad thing):
-2 tbsp yellow or dijon mustard
-1 tbsp Veganaise
-1 clove of garlic, pressed
-a pinch each of turmeric and garlic salt

Mix together everything but the water, and taste it to make sure it's spiced to your tastes (if it's too spicy, add a bit more tahini and olive oil). Then add water until it reaches the consistency you want. This is good as a sandwich spread, dip, or topping for stir-fry, etc. Enjoy!

#23: the bean - June 2011

The bean cookoff was held on the 14th of June, again at Flatland — now residence of Amanda and Laryssa as well as Jeff Downer. An impressive 11 people brought entries, and many others came along for the ride. It was a happy, loud, and drunken affair, but that was to be expected with so much communal wine and the fact that a good number of us had not seen each other in at least a month. I think also with the sun setting so late it was pretty easy to lose track of time, because it was nearly 12:30 when Jeff Z and I finally headed home, and we weren't even the last to leave.

COMPETITORS AND ENTRIES
Bronwen: "David Bowie's ch-ch-ch-ch-chana" masala chickpeas with basmati rice and raita, garnished with lemon

Yaara: "black bean mango procession" Thai-style green curry with black beans, yam, basil, and mango, served atop quinoa

Jen: "the falafel truth" deep-fried chickpea patties with herbs and onions, topped with spicy tahini sauce and shaved cucumber

Kaylie: "fiery bag o' dix" chipotle black bean bruschetta with olives, red onion, and candied pecans

Laryssa: "The Big Bean Theory" fava beans and portobello mushrooms baked with sauce in phyllo pastry, served with creamy cannellini bean sauce and salsa

Jeff D: "our bees make honey, but your flies make shit" Peruvian lima bean casserole with kale, breadcrumbs, and pepperjack Daiya, served with a creamy Cointreau and orange rind sauce

Nina: "black mamba quesadilla" fried tortillas with black beans, avocado, carrot, sprouts, tomato, and cilantro

Cera: "the pink lady" white bean and cornbread patty topped with kale and a red bean almond sauce

Luc: "keepin' it cas-o-real" green bean casserole with homefried onions, portobello mushrooms, and cheddar Daiya

Malloreigh: "the flatulent blonde" chickpea-tahini blondie with black bean chocolate sauce and candied black beans

Jeff Z: "Beantown Ice Capades" vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans, served with almond biscotti and shaved bitter chocolate


It should be noted that this was Cera and Bronwen's first times competing, and additionally, Bronwyn's partner Michael's impeccable wit had a hand in naming many of the dishes. Also in attendance were Amanda, Tim, Ryan Barfield, and Nina's partner Mart (sp?).

CATEGORIES AND WINNERS
seconds: Bronwen/Malloreigh
presentation: Jen
beaniness: Laryssa
creativity: Kaylie/Jeff D/Cera/Malloreigh
overall favourite: Malloreigh

overall winner: Malloreigh

best name: (unscored category) Luc