Why it works: Tofu and sesame match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 250 recipes. Both carry 2,4-decadienal, which smells seaweed. The science ↓
Sesame-Tofu Dip
Ingredients
Directions
Blend tofu, lemon juice, sesame oil, sugar substitute, and salt until smooth.
With the processor running, slowly add canola oil in a steady stream until incorporated.
Ensure the mixture has the consistency of thick mayonnaise.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 6 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Sesame | 1 tbsp (14g) | 120 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Tofu | 100g firm | 76 |
| Sugar Substitute | 1 tbsp (12.5g) granulated | 49 |
| Lemon | juice of 1 lemon (48ml) | 12 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
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Tofu + sesametop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together250 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
-
Sesame + canola oiltop 4% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together201 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
-
Lemon + sesametop 10% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together473 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
-
Tofu + canola oiltop 14% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together62 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Lemon + canola oiltop 14% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together376 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Silken tofu
- Provides the creamy body and moisture that make up most of the dip.
- Canola oil
- Adds fat that emulsifies into the blend, giving a smooth, rich texture.
- Lemon juice
- Adds acidity that brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the tofu and oil.
The step that matters
Adding the canola oil slowly. Oil added in a thin, steady stream emulsifies into the tofu mixture. Dumping it in at once can leave the dip greasy or separated instead of smooth and thick.
Swap the lemon
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (tofu, sesame, sugar substitute, canola oil):
- Coconutfits better
- Avocadofits better
- Limefits about as well
- Lemonthe original
Fit is the average pairing score against tofu, sesame, sugar substitute, canola oil. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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