Do you keep certain ingredients in your fridge or pantry, knowing that you can always rely on them to whip up a fast, healthy meal? For us, these go-to staples include miso and tahini.

We don't know where we'd be without tahini, or sesame paste, and miso, which is made from fermented soybeans and grains. Whisked together into a creamy and versatile sauce, we use it to dress everything from noodles to tofu. The nutty, salty, and somewhat sweet flavor is almost addictive and we have been known to inhale bowls of otherwise plain whole grains and greens topped with this sauce.

You can use the dressing concentrated, thin it with water, or add herbs and other flavorings. Here are some possibilities:

• Drizzle over steamed or roasted vegetables
• Use as a dip for raw veggies
• Add to tofu while sautéing
• Spread on tofu and bake or broil
• Toss with soba, somen, or udon noodles
• Thin with water and use as a salad dressing

Tahini-Miso Dressing

1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1 tablespoon white miso
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a fork until creamy. If a thinner consistency is desired, gradually stir in small amounts of warm water.

Optional additions: ginger, garlic, parsley, scallions, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, soy sauce/tamari/liquid aminos. (Let us know if you have more suggestions!)

Related: Recipe: D.I.Y. Tahini

(Image: Emily Ho)