
I eat too fast. I always have. I am often the last person to sit down at the table and the first to get up. It's not that I don't enjoy eating -- I love to eat. I have tried many slow down techniques such as putting my fork down between mouthfuls, cutting my food into smaller pieces than is necessary for an adult, and chewing each bite 20 times. I can tell you, they don't work.
The only thing that is guaranteed to slow me down is today's Crunchy Veg Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing. Chock full of crunchy vegetables, I challenge anyone to eat this salad in fewer than 20 minutes (unless you have uncommonly large molars and Olympic muscles of mastication, in which case it may take about 17).
Chewing isn't the only thing that will keep you full though. This salad is packed with high fiber ingredients such as chickpeas, apples, and raisins. It's flavored with sesame tahini (sesame paste) that is high in both nutritious minerals and polyunsaturated fat, which is considered a "heart healthy" type of fat.

Though there are many brands of tahini available at both Middle Eastern markets and supermarkets, my personal favorite is Joyva Sesame Tahini. It's ultra thick and creamy with a pleasing smoky sesame flavor. Just remember that tahini paste will naturally harden on the bottom, so it's important to stir it well before using.
Then get ready to slowly savor this super salad.
Crunchy Veg Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Serves 4
Print recipe only here.
Salad:
1 large head romaine lettuce, sliced crosswise
1 large carrot, sliced on the diagonal
2 celery stalks, sliced on the diagonal
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium apple of your choice, chopped
1/2 cup jicama, chopped
1/2 cucumber, seeds removed, and sliced into half moons
3/4 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup raisins
3 tablespoons toasted shredded unsweetened coconut
3 tablespoons toasted chopped almonds
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup tahini paste
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
several shakes of salt
2-4 tablespoons water, or as much as needed
In a large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients.
In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients (except water). Slowly add water one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Pour dressing over salad and toss until well coated. Garnish with additional parsley, coconut, and/or almonds, if desired.
Feel free to add some grilled chicken, turkey, or tofu for added protein.
You might also like Super Satisfying Salads 1-5:
Asian Noodle Salad with Tofu and Mango
Chipotle BBQ Bean and Corn Salad
Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Farro with Grilled Vegetables
Mediterranean Wheatberry Salad with Lentils and Chickpeas
More tasty tahini dishes:
Dani's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Lydia's Potato Salad with Sesame Dressing
Patricia's Roasted Squash Salad with Tahini
Rosa's Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

39 comments:
I also make my salad dressings with tahini! It's tastes gorgeous and different! Your salad is mouthwatering!
Cheers,
Rosa
Healthy, delicious and very filling by the looks of it Susan...it looks so fresh and that tahini would just add the most amazing flavour.
My husband is a super-speedy eater, too, and I'm always trying to get him to slow down. Will try this crunchy salad, also because it looks delicious and is just the type of thing I love for dinner in late summer. Joyva is my brand of choice for tahini, too.
Have you ever tried eating with your non-dominant hand? I had heard that was a slow-down technique also... so I tried it, but loved eating with my left-hand so much that now it works as well as my right! So much for that! BTW - I should know better than to check your blog close to lunchtime!! As always, this salad looks amazing and maybe I'll use the left-over tahini paste for some homemade hummus!
Lovely salad which makes a meal by itself.
I think you and I should have a contest! I eat waaay too fast, compounded by the usually small servings I eat and my super-strong teeth!
The salad looks superb-- my eye just dances around the crunchy vegetables, especially the apple in the creamy dressing-- gorgeous.
Ohh, I wish I had this for my lunch today - sounds super tasty!
I love tahini (I call it tehina, like they do in Israel). I just made some cookies with the paste...yum!
I'm a slow eater by the way, I'm usually the last to finish ;) except with dessert, I can eat that very quickly :)
"Olympic muscles of mastication" - LOL!
I consciously try to chew too, so that it will slow me down and make me eat less - it works only when I'm not watching TV and trying to read a book at the same time.
the salad does look great but what has my undivided attention is that dressing. WOW!
I used to eat really really slow... Just opposite of you Susan... The first to sit at the table, and even later than the latest person to finish :)))) But Feridun (my bf) changed this good habbit of mine in time. Because he eats like how you do, and silly me, I tried to accompany him. Now I2m rather a fast eater as well. (And unfortunatelly unwanted weight came with that on me :'( )
And!!! Only thing I can say about the salad is OMG!!!! Ooohh my God!!!
:)))
rosa-Tahini does have a uniquely delicious flavor.
peterg-It really goes well with the variety of sweet and earthy vegetables.
lydia-It's the best one out there. I know, there aren't many brands I haven't tried!
kara-Me too! Seriously! People ask me if I'm left-handed now! :)
ivy-I ate it for dinner the other night.
manggy-I'd give you a run for your money!
deborah-I wish I could share some with you.
linda-I have always wanted to make tahini cookies. I have to try some.
sra-Ah, reading a book. That might work!
meeta-Thanks, my dear!
bal-See what we'll do for love!
oh i love tahini! this sounds delicious!
I love a salad meal...or a meal that is just salad...this sounds terrific as do your other suggestions for salads...YUM. (I eat fast too, but it shows on my hips!) ;)
Susan this sounds like a wonderful salad with a change of pace.I love salads in the heat of summer but you can get in a rut. Thanks for some new inspiration!
This does look delicious and crunchy and satisfying. Here it is 8:30 at night and I'm craving your salad. I guess I didn't eat much dinner. Either that or your picture is just drawing me in! I have that very tub of tahini and I never know what to make with it. THanks for the great idea! Lunch tomorrow perhaps?
When we were dating long distance style, my husband came to visit to meet my parents and my dad handed B. a time worn and stained cue card that read "eat slowly" (in French "mange lentement and told him to put it in front of my water glass at dinner....it had been placed in front of me regularly since I was a kid. True story! He still pulls it out from time to time! I could see myself inhaling this wonderful salad but I would make an exception for you and savor it slowly! Wonderful dressing!
Susan, this is the kind of food I would love to have everyday. Fresh, beautiful, colorful - and healthy! I could even have a slice of cake for dessert without feeling too guilty. :)
Very refreshing salad susan. And I'm glad that there is use for my tahini other than hummus!
I love the sound of this one! Tahini is one of my favorite ingredients and I love crunchy foods so this is a winner for sure. I haven't seen this brand of tahini here, but I'll look for it.
I really like the look of this, it's got everything - flavour, crunch and that delicious dressing!
This sounds delicious and incredibly healthy. I have to make it!
S, although I still miss my trip to HK every minute, but once I step upon your blog, your dazzling and wonderful photos (and recipes) help me to put my homesickness off :D
I have a problem of eating too fast as well.
I am a CRAZY fast eater, too! This sounds yummy and satisfying - thanks for the recipe.
-Eve
P.S. Definitely give that semi-pearled farro a shot - it's so easy!
I love tahini based salad dressings... This salad looks so yummy and full of wonderful, crunchy ingredients. I'll slow down for texture but I eat way too fast as well. I'm up for your challenge Susan! :-)
Susan , i can always come to you blog and be sure i'll see something new n nice. I'm always running out of lovely salad ideas, and its amazing how you always have something new to share. great looking salad ...crunch crunch .. i can almost feel it crunch :p
Susan - does this rushing extend to other aspects of life, like driving on the freeway, or shopping? :-) This salad seems like the perfect therapy!
I really like the dressing recipe. Big fan of tahini.
I am the exact same way, Susan. I eat too fast. I think it is because when I used to waitress we would have like a ten minute lunch break and would have to scarf our food down if we wanted to eat.
My best friend is a very, very slow eater. I always feel like such a cow when we go out to eat together!
I always love your salad recipes. This one is now exception. Looks wonderful!
Looks delicious!
Yeah, I'm a fast eater too and cannot seem to slow down, although I've tried to do so.
What is up with that speed eating Susan. I have the same disease. I really am enjoying your salad series, this looks wonderful.
--Marc
Consider me a speed eater too :) I love this salad. Lemon tahini is one of my favorite types of dressing. And of course I love it on pitas with some chicken or lamb too!
heather-Me too!
tenina-I love meal salads too.
deborah- You're so welcome!
lori-Enjoy tomorrow's lunch! :)
helen-Oh, my, gosh, that is too funny. That's why I know it's true! :)
patricia-That's a good way of justifying dessert. :)
veron-That's true.
kalyn-Please do, it's wonderful.
nic-Thanks a bunch!
sarah-i hope you do!
gattina-How of sweet of you to say that. :)
eve-I will! Thanks again.
alexa-Glad to hear I'm not alone.
kate-That's awfully kind of you to say. Thanks so much.
tw-No, pretty much eating, walking, cleaning, and talking. Thankfully, not driving!
lorilynn-It's been a favorite of mine for a while.
kristen-That makes sense. But what's my excuse? I have never waitressed!
vancouver-I guess we'll both keep trying then.
marc-Thanks a lot!
elly-I love it on pitas too but with falafel.
Oooh, I can almost taste the testures in this wonderful crunchy salad! Definitely going to play around with this and give it a try.
I love tahini, that dressing sounds delicious!
we made a very similar dip last week with the addition of roasted garlic. your salad is beautiful.
I really liked this salad and have bookmarked this.
I'm a fast eater too, and who knows, though I don't have the qualifications you have listed, I might just finish it in under 20 minutes!
In fact, my husband's standard joke is that if people see me eating, they might think I'm finishing my share quickly to ensure he doesn't get it!!:)
Hi Susan... I am reading all the posts I missed in the past month... I love this recipe, I have tahine and will try your dressing, wow, what a great way to use that tahini... the cans are big and last forever... :-)
ha! i'm always the first one done eating too :) i love the flavor of tahini and this salad looks so crunchy and healthy!
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