Tahini Dressing

Tahini brings a distinctive sesame flavor to this creamy blender dressing, while cashews soften the texture and lemon adds brightness. Garlic supplies a savory edge, and a small amount of maple syrup balances the tartness without turning the dressing sweet.

From page 38 of the Black Hills Health Retreat Wellness Cookbook, this recipe gives you a little flexibility: use half to three-quarters of a cup of cashews and a quarter to half a teaspoon of maple syrup. Those ranges are part of the original recipe, not later substitutions. There is no separately added oil, dairy or mayonnaise in the ingredient list.

Jump to Recipe ⬇

🌿 The Healing Ingredients

• Cashews (½–¾ cup): The creamy foundation. With the water quantity unchanged, the higher amount will generally give the dressing more body. Start within the stated range and note your choice so you can repeat it. The cookbook does not specify raw or roasted; plain, unsalted raw cashews are a suggested choice for a mild flavor. → Shop Cashews, Whole | Shop Cashews, Whole 320s, Organic | Shop Cashews, Large Pieces, Organic
• Tahini (2 Tbsp.): Sesame paste that supplies the dressing's defining nutty flavor. Choose plain tahini rather than an already prepared tahini sauce with extra ingredients. If the jar has separated, stir it thoroughly before measuring so your spoonfuls contain both the paste and its oil.
• Lemon Juice (3 Tbsp.): Adds bright acidity to balance the cashews and sesame. Freshly squeezed juice is a pleasant choice; remove seeds before measuring. Lemon is a flavor ingredient here, not a substitute for refrigeration.
• Maple Syrup (¼–½ tsp.): A small balancing touch. Begin at the lower end if you prefer a sharper dressing, then taste before using the rest of the allowed range. Keep the teaspoon measure in mind: the original recipe calls for very little sweetness.
• Water (1 cup): Helps the cashews and tahini become a pourable dressing. Start with the stated quantity, then assess the finished texture before making any separate adaptation.
• Garlic (2 large cloves): Gives a noticeable savory flavor. Peel before blending. Large cloves are specified, so expect a garlic-forward result rather than a very mild sesame sauce. Garlic powder is not listed as an alternative in this recipe.
• Salt (to taste): The final adjustment. Blend first, taste a little with a salad leaf or vegetable, and add gradually rather than guessing a fixed amount.

📖 The Smooth Blender Method

The cookbook gives two simple directions: place all ingredients in a blender, then blend until smooth. Follow your appliance manufacturer's loading instructions and maximum fill level. Stop the machine before scraping its sides or checking the texture.

Breaking down the cashews thoroughly is the main texture task. The source does not specify soaking or a processing time. If you choose to soak the cashews for your particular blender, measure them before soaking, drain and rinse afterward, and treat that as an optional preparation adjustment.

Use the cashew range deliberately. Half a cup gives you a different starting balance from three-quarters of a cup, even though both follow the recipe. Record the amount you use instead of assuming every batch will have exactly the same consistency.

Taste on the food you intend to dress. A concentrated spoonful can seem stronger than a small amount spread across a bowl of vegetables. Add salt only after the other ingredients are evenly incorporated.

📋 The Recipe

Yield is not specified in the cookbook.

Ingredients

• ½–¾ cup cashews
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼–½ teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 cup water
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• Salt, to taste

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.

Source note: Quantities, ingredient ranges and the two-step method are preserved from page 38 of the Wellness Cookbook. Plain raw cashews and any optional soaking guidance are preparation suggestions, not additional instructions from the original card.

💡 Tips & Serving Ideas

Drizzle a little over a bowl of chickpeas, cooked grains and fresh vegetables. The sesame and lemon also pair well with cabbage, cucumber and roasted vegetables that have cooled slightly. Add gradually, toss and taste before pouring on more.

For a simple lunch, serve a dressed salad with lentils or a baked potato. The dressing already brings garlic and sesame flavor, allowing the other components to stay uncomplicated.

If you prefer a thinner dressing, test a little extra water in a separate portion first. If you want more body, use the higher cashew amount on your next batch. Adding quantities outside the cookbook's stated range would be a personal variation rather than the original recipe.

Freshness and Allergen Notes

Transfer promptly to a clean, covered container and refrigerate. Keep chilled until serving, use clean utensils and stir if the dressing separates. The cookbook does not provide a storage duration for this preparation. It is not a shelf-stable condiment.

Contains cashews, a tree nut, and sesame from tahini. It is not suitable for someone who needs to avoid either ingredient. Although no oil is added separately, both cashews and tahini naturally contribute fat, so the dressing is not fat-free.

Related Articles

Explore Ranch-Style Dressing for a herb-seasoned option, Moikos Salad Dressing for another cashew-based dressing, or Cucumber Mint Dressing for a fresh cucumber variation.

Part of The Healing Kitchen series at Black Hills Health Retreat.

Ingredient notes are for everyday cooking education, not medical treatment advice.