Tossed in a creamy tahini garlic dressing and mixed with dried cherries and toasted pine nuts, Brussels sprouts have never tasted so good.
Confession: I will eat just about anything smothered in tahini. If you’re not familiar, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. You can find it in most grocery stores, ethnic markets and online. Growing up, my mom would use it to coat roasted fish but it also tastes delicious with chicken shawarma in a pita or as a dipping sauce with roasted vegetables.
Speaking of vegetables, Brussels sprouts are in season and are at their peak flavor right now. While I normally love my Brussels roasted with lots of bacon, I decided to give them a quick blitz in the food processor and turn them into a raw slaw with a creamy tahini, garlic and lemon vinaigrette.
Since today is a special occasion, I decided to serve this Brussels slaw with an addictive little crostini made with olive oil, salt and a good pinch of earthy za’atar.
If the thought of raw Brussels makes you want to run for the hills, I urge you to reconsider. The acid in the lemon juice breaks down the raw-ness and the creamy, luscious tahini and addictive garlic totally sends it to the next level. Of course eating it on a crispy za’atar crostini doesn’t hurt either.
Your fork is waiting.
Brussels Slaw with Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Za’atar Toasted Crostini
- 1 French baguette sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons za’atar
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and toast pine nuts on a baking sheet until golden brown, 5-7 minutes; set aside.
- Remove the stems and halve Brussels sprouts then place in a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped or use the slicer attachment to thinly slice. Alternatively, you can use a mandolin or simply thinly slice with a knife.
- In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt and pepper. Slowly stream in up to ¼ cup of warm water until you’ve reached a slightly thin and creamy consistency.
- Add chopped Brussels to the bowl and toss to coat in the tahini dressing. Stir in the dried cherries and toasted pine nuts; set aside.
- To prepare the crostini, spread baguette slices in an even layer on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with za’atar and a pinch of kosher salt. Bake until golden brown, 7-9 minutes.
- Serve Brussels slaw with za’atar crostinis.
Veronica
The toasted zaatar and the brussels with tahini dressing complement each other so well the dish had my guest licking their fingers!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you loved it!!
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy
This brussels slaw tahini dressing recipe so extravagant:) I’m afraid I will not find the ingredients for this recipe! Thx for sharing Liz!
eva@myfrontburner
I’m with you with the tahini. Love it – and this recipe looks great.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective
I wish this salad was sitting in front of me right now. Yum!
Kristin @ Tasty Joy
Brussels sprouts are one thing I have a hard time being creative with, and I always feel bad when they’re in season, looking good, and I can’t think of what to do with them. So, thanks for the wonderful, unique idea! Can’t wait to try it.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I almost always roast them with bacon but I’m trying to be more creative!
Joanne
Tahini AND za’atar AND brussels sprouts. You’re really winning me over with this one.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad to hear that. :)
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
I don’t eat nearly enough brussels! This looks fantastic!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you girl!
Sherrie | With Food + Love
THREE WORDS…za’atar. toasted. crostini.
I need this in my life!!
Anne [A Squared]
This looks sooo good! I LOVE Brussels sprouts salads!
todd wagner
I’m all about raw brussels right now. Like ALL about them. Love it!!
Lisa [With Style & Grace]
oh, I am ALL over this!!
Liz
Thank you Liz for the nice recipe.
Liz DellaCroce
Hope you’re doing well Liz!
Cassie
Give me all the tahini too!! I went to make hummus last week and I was out of tahini. I nearly cried! I love, love, LOVE this crostini, Liz. Totally perfect for a baby shower!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh man I’ve been there!!! It is the worst!!! I made your egg sandwich last night (a close version anyway) – SO GOOD!!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit
YUM, I am crazy for za’atar AND tahini, so this looks insanely delicious to me! Even though I would never have thought of using raw brussels in a dip, I’m totally converted.
Liz DellaCroce
I could eat za’atar and tahini every day!! It’s a problem. :)
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Seriously freaking out over how tasty this slaw/crostini sitch looks. YUM.
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you girl!!! It was so good – even the little ones were eating it!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Liz I love everything about this! If I can spread it on a crostini then it’s my bff! I’m so making this soon with a side of merlot <3
Liz DellaCroce
Why are crostinis so dang good??!
Amanda
LOVE!!!
Aimee @ Simple Bites
This looks Phen-omenal, Liz! I’m so glad I have brussels sprouts stocked, and tahini too, duh. :)
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Aimee!! I hope you try it – tahini is the bomb.com
jessica
ohmygosh I need this to happen in my kitchen ASAP. Love everything about this!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Jessica!!
Ashley
Such a lovely recipe!!! I am in love with the flavors. Thanks so much for contributing!! xo
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you SO much for including me!!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Girl, this looks absolutely delish! I have never used tahini in anything besides hummus, but clearly I need to get on that stat!
Liz DellaCroce
You must use it more – it’s so freaking good!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
I’m a big brussels sprout lover, but I almost never use tahini — even when I make hummus! You’ve convinced me that I need to change my ways, because this salad looks to die for! Happy baby shower day to Jessica!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh my goodness please let me know what you think of it!!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I really need to just take the plunge and try brussels sprouts already! Especially if they’re smothered in that garlic tahini dressing and there’s crostini on the side :)
Liz DellaCroce
YES you do!!
Millie | Add A Little
Yum! This looks ridiculously good!
Sarah Daisy At Home
I already love brussels sprouts, but now I have a new way to love them! I will definitely be bringing this to a party soon. Thanks for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
I love them roasted but am so glad I switched it up this time!
Cookin Canuck
A couple of years ago, I would have cringed at the thought of raw Brussels sprouts, but this sounds fantastic…especially with a good dose of tahini.
Liz DellaCroce
Trust me – the tahini sauce turns it into gold!
Julie @ Table for Two
Totally want me some of this for lunch!!!
Liz DellaCroce
You would love this girl!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
You had me at za’atar! ;)
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl
What a stunning salad and love, love the oversize croutons! And such a sweet tribute…
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Marissa!
molly yeh
brussels sprouts… tahini…za’atar??!?!! did you, like, hack into my brain to see all of my favorite things?!!!! i’m obsessed with this.
Liz DellaCroce
Such an honor – I’m a huge fan Molly!!!
brandi
liz, this looks so delicious!! i am obsessed with za’atar lately. i can’t get enough!
Jessica @ The Novice Chef
I would face plant right into the center of this! YUM!
jessica
brussels CROSTINI! i am in love. thank you so, so much!! xoxo
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you loved your shower!!! So excited for you girl!
Jenny Flake
Um yah, I need this crostini in my life! Great flavors and cutest nail polish to boot :) xo
Liz DellaCroce
Awww thank you girl!!
Tina Muir
What a great idea! I would love to have this as a side at my thanksgiving meal, especially as I just made my own tahini! Sneaky way to enjoy Brussel sprouts :)
Thanks for the recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes this would be the perfect Thanksgiving side!!
bev @ bevcooks
I love it I love it I love it. Thaaank you for participating, Leees!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you for hosting such an amazing shower!!! xoxo
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Yes, tahini is my jam. Love it on everything. This is the perfect dish to celebrate Jessica – that girl loves her brussels sprouts!!
Liz DellaCroce
I love it on everything too!!
Rachel Cooks
Loooove Brussels sprouts salads and this is no exception. If only N hadn’t made me deathly afraid to consume tahini, ha! I’ll just have to eat a handful of toasted pine nuts and call it a day. ;)
Liz DellaCroce
Omg… I almost ate half of the pine nuts before they hit the salad!! Oops!
MB @ Bourbon and Brown Sugar
Oh how I love a brussels sprouts salad… and love the idea of adding tahini – usually go with straight lemon juice and olive oil. And wow, this is quite possibly the most amazing baby shower menu in the history of baby shower menus… can’t wait to read through every last blog post. I’m somewhat new to blogging, and am inspired by this invisible friend community :)
Liz DellaCroce
I wish this was the type of food served at most baby showers!!!! Thanks for your sweet words. :) Enjoy following along today!