A deliciously easy Middle Eastern inspired yogurt tahini dip packed with fresh mint
This yogurt, pomegranate molasses, mint & tahini dip is a really tasty accompaniment to crisps, crudités or similar dip-friendly items. The dip combines the flavours of the middle east, with sesame seed derived tahini, cooling yogurt, fruity tart pomegranate molasses and fresh mint into a great tasting dip that is also delicious dolloped onto cooked veggies or a rice pilaf.
If you haven’t tried pomegranate molasses before, it’s worth finding a bottle. Made from reduced pomegranate juice reduced to a thick syrup is rich, sticky, tart and deeply intense, as well as not too sweet. You can also make your own, by reducing pomegranate juice and adding sugar to taste (if you want), and also maybe some lemon juice to extend the shelf life. One of my favourite uses is drizzling some over grapes and then roasting them before serving with griddled halloumi. Perfection! And here are a few more pomegranate ideas:
Six ideas for Pomegranate Molasses
- Add molasses to salad dressings
- Or to homemade raspberry jam
- Drizzle over French toast for a luxurious brunch
- Make your own refreshing pomegranate juice based soft drinks. Experiment!
- Infuse some gin or vodka
- Add arils (the seeds) to salads and dips for that fruity crunch.
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, and has this magical ability to get thicker when you add other liquid, or runny ingredients, to it. Easily available, again it’s straightforward to make yourself by toasting and grinding sesame seeds and then adding olive oil until you reach the right consistency. This yogurt tahini dip is thicker than all the individual ingredients, which sort of blows my mind a little. This ability makes it ideal for dressings which you can then thin down considerably with water, without piling on the calories.
Five things to do with tahini
- Home made hummus. Classic, easy and delicious. Tahini should be the only oil added to hummus, so do check the label when buying a pot.
- Incorporate it into salad dressings for extra flavour.
- Add to soup.
- Tahini cookies: search online for one of the many recipes.
- Vegan chocolate and tahini brownies. Again, many recipes can be found online.
- 100 g natural yoghurt
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp finely chopped mint
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2-3 heaped tsp pomegranate molasses
- Salt & pepper
-
Mix all the ingredients together, and season well. Add a little more pomegranate molasses if needed, and thin with a little water for a coating dressing.
I used goat’s milk yogurt from St Helen’s Farm; who have been farming goats’ for over 30 years in East Yorkshire, for my dressing, it is tangier and richer than a cow’s milk yogurt and works particularly well here with the tart richness of the molasses. Yogurt originated in Turkey and, as is so often the case, pairs so well with the other middle Eastern ingredients.
We really enjoyed the products, they are richer and tangier then their cow’s milk equivalents, and a great choice for a different or more interesting dairy. Goat’s cheese is a huge favourite of mine and I really enjoyed the mature cheese – made in the same way as a traditional cheddar – and perfect for snacking or cooking with.
Some people who find cows’ milk hard to digest find they can tolerate goats’ milk products, the fat globules are smaller and the proteins form a softer and more easily digestible curd.
Goat’s milk products may not be suitable of you are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to cows milk, consult your GP or health professional before making changes to your diet.
For more ideas using pomegranate molasses try:-
My Roasted pomegranate grapes and halloumi
or Michelle’s pomegranate chicken skewers, or Lisa’s Middle Eastern chicken stew.
Recipe for Yogurt, Pomegranate Molasses, Mint & Tahini Dip commissioned by St Helen’s farm, who also sent a hamper of goat’s milk products. As always all opinions our own.
Oh you have me drooling! I love Goat’s Cheese and we’ve been buying St Helen’s Goat’s milk for at least the last 10 years as it agrees with my asthmatic boy much better. I haven’t spotted that spreadable cheese I spy in your picture so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye open for that. Your dip sounds divine – I have a bottle of pomegranate molasses hiding in my cupboard, I must dig it out. Roast grapes? Genius!
The roast grapes with halloumi is a must try dish, you really should give it a go.
Hi Chris, the spreadable cheese is available in selected Waitrose stores – let us know if you have any problems finding it and we’ll do what we can to help 01430 861715 or info@sthelensfarm.co.uk
Best wishes, Vicky (from St Helen’s Farm :-)
Oooh, I’ve been in a very dippy mood lately and this looks lush. Love the halloumi and grape combo too!
Being in a dippy mood is certainly the best excuse I can think of to enjoy a bowl of this.
I adore all of those ingredients, so can’t wait to try this. Also love your suggestion of roasting grapes – never tried that before, love hearing new ideas!
The roast grapes are amazing, and the best thing is you can roast them from frozen.
I have never tried pomegranate molasses. I love the flavor of pomegranate. I’m not sure if we can get here in the states. This sounds awesome! The tahini with the molasses is an intriguing combination!
You can make your own molasses, but I’d think that a speciality grocery store should sell it, or even Amazon grocery.
Mint and tahini at first sounded odd but once I read the entire recipe- ohhhhh savory and delish!
It all works really well together and it is a super adaptable sauce.
I love the Middle Eastern flavors going on in this dip! I could make a meal out of this it looks so delicious! lol Can’t wait to try this soon!
It is the kind of dish that I could quite happily eat for lunch and be content.
Pomegranate Molasses is absolutely lovely. Roasting grapes is new to me . This recipe just screams – “Make me” . I would love to try this one !!
Let me know if you enjoy it.
The roasted grapes are so good! Make them!
This dip looks so tasty, we love dips here. I don’t make my own very often as we usually rushing around at tea time but I need to try this one. I am trying to eat more salads and this looks perfect for dipping peppers and cucumber into :) Yummy!!
The dip is perfect for eating with chunky salad vegetables.
This recipe sounds so yummy! and I’ve never heard of pomegranate molasses before. Can you get it in any supermarket? What aisle that would be? xx
Most bigger supermarkets now sell it, as do shops such as Holland and Barrett. You may find it in the seasoning/herbs aisle, or perhaps World foods. Depending on the shop layout.
This sounds like an absolutely perfect mix and I can’t wait to try it. Bookmarked : )
It is a delicious mix, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Oh that sounds very tasty, I have pinned it for future reference.
Thank you Stephanie, hope you get to try it out yourself.
This sounds delicious!! I love dips and chips, I could eat them all day!
Chips and dips is a perfect combination of deliciousness.
This recipe sounds very tasty. Definitely something I would love to try.
The flavours make for a very tasty dish indeed.
The Vegan Tahini brownies is an awesome idea, I’m always looking to spice up my normal vegan menu.
It is always good to find delicious vegan recipes to suit.
Oh, this looks delicious, I am after some new inspiration for spring / summer meals so will add this to my pin board
Would be a great dish to serve on a warm evening, sitting on the patio with a chilled glass of Prosecco.