تمر بالطحينة

Tamr bil Tahini

📍 Lebanese South 🍽 Desserts ⏱ Easy

Plump, fresh dates pressed open and generously filled — or simply dipped — into thick sesame tahini. The simplest Lebanese dessert, eaten daily in southern households, requiring no cooking and only two ingredients.

There is no simpler Lebanese pleasure than a fresh Medjool date and a bowl of tahini. In villages across the south — Marjayoun, Bent Jbeil, the villages near Tyre — this is the everyday dessert: no occasion required, no preparation needed, eaten after any meal or as an afternoon snack with tea. It is the proof that Lebanese cuisine at its greatest is about ingredient quality, not technique. The combination of date sweetness and tahini's bitter nuttiness is one of the ancient flavor pairings of the Levant, documented in texts going back to the Abbasid era. It requires no recipe — only the right dates and the right tahini.

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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pit the dates by slitting them lengthwise and removing the pit, keeping the date intact.
  2. Pour tahini into a small bowl.
  3. Serve: either press a small spoonful of tahini into the cavity of each pitted date, or arrange whole dates beside the tahini bowl for dipping.
  4. That is all.

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Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tamr bil Tahini?

Plump, fresh dates pressed open and generously filled — or simply dipped — into thick sesame tahini. The simplest Lebanese dessert, eaten daily in southern households, requiring no cooking and only two ingredients.

Where is Tamr bil Tahini from?

Tamr bil Tahini comes from Lebanese South. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.

Is Tamr bil Tahini vegetarian or vegan?

As written, Tamr bil Tahini uses only plant-based ingredients, so it is suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets. Always double-check the full ingredient list against your own dietary needs.

What can I use instead of fresh medjool dates in Tamr bil Tahini?

The fresh medjool dates called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Tamr bil Tahini its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.

What do I serve with Tamr bil Tahini?

In a Lebanese desserts spread, Tamr bil Tahini is served at the end of a meal or with afternoon coffee or tea. A little extra syrup or nuts on top is traditional where the recipe calls for them.

Can I make Tamr bil Tahini ahead, and how do I store leftovers?

Most components can be prepared ahead. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture; syrups and nut toppings are best added or refreshed close to serving.

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