Monday, August 24, 2026

Creamy Tahini Harissa Artichoke Dressing


Recipe from Cooking For Peanuts 
Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen
Makes about 1½ cups

This is one dynamo of a salad dressing.  It’s full of smoky, tangy and slightly sweet flavor that will make your salads sing. I recommend doubling this recipe so you’ll have plenty for a week’s worth of salads, veggie dishes, sandwiches or grain bowls.

¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
2 Tablespoons tahini
¼ cup jarred artichoke hearts, drained
2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast or 1 Tablespoon yellow or white miso**
2 teaspoons harissa (I use mild) or harissa seasoning***
2 teaspoons maple syrup or date syrup or 1 pitted date, plus more to taste 
2 cloves garlic
2 Tablespoons water to thin, plus more as needed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Place all of the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  Add water to make it the consistency you like.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutritional Information: (1 of 3 servings)
Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | 
Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Notes: 
If you can’t find Harissa paste or Harissa seasoning, you can make your own: Harissa seasoning:  1 teaspoon smoked paprika + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon cumin + ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper or cayenne + salt to taste. 
Reviewers suggested omitting the salt and using miso instead (in addition to the nutritional yeast.)