Save Money And Make Your Own Tahini

I never even thought about making homemade tahini until I needed it for a recipe and the brand I usually buy was in the middle of a recall (salmonella! Fun!). So I found this recipe on http://www.about.com/ and it took 15 minutes and tastes EXACTLY the same and for a lot less money. The store bought brand is between $3.50 and $5 a jar...mine cost about $1.50 to make. For anyone out there who doesn't know what the heck tahini is, it is a sesame seed paste (comparable to peanut butter) used in lots of middle eastern dishes. I use it in hummus, falafel, and the yummy tofu burgers that I'm going to be making tomorrow. Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
5 cups sesame seeds
1 1/2 cups olive oil or vegetable oil

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350.
Toast sesame seeds for 5-10 minutes, shaking the seeds frequently with a spatula.
Do not allow to brown.
Cool for 20 minutes and then pour sesame seeds into food processor and add oil.
Blend for 2 minutes.
Check for consistency; the goal is a thick, yet pourable texture. Add more oil if needed and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
Yield: 4 cups
Storing Tahini: Tahini should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container. It will keep for up to 3 months.