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Roasted Plums With Tahini Dressing

These slow-roasted plums with tahini dressing offer a sophisticated balance of natural sweetness and nutty, savoury depth. By roasting the plums at a low temperature, their juices concentrate into a rich syrup that beautifully complements the creamy, obsidian-flecked sesame paste. This vibrant vegan dish celebrates seasonal stone fruit, using fresh thyme and a bright hit of lemon to cut through the richness of the tahini.

Perfect as a light dessert or a show-stopping addition to a weekend brunch, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and packed with healthy fats. The contrast between the warm, caramelised fruit and the chilled, velvety dressing creates a restaurant-quality finish with very little effort. Serve it simply on its own or alongside a scoop of coconut yoghurt for an extra layer of indulgence.

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Ingredients for Roasted Plums With Tahini Dressing

  • 900g plums, halved and pitted

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • Freshly cracked black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme and/or oregano leaves, stripped from about 4 sprigs

  • Flaky sea salt for garnish

  • Juice of 2 lemons (about 90ml )

  • 150g raw tahini (sesame paste)

  • 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 ice cube

Preheat the oven to 204°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the fruit, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and season well with the salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle the fruit with all but a pinch of the fresh herbs. Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 121°C. Roast until the fruit is very soft and juicy and starting to caramelize, about 2 hours. (Alternatively, turn off the oven after 1 hour and leave the fruit in the oven overnight. This will produce a more leathery result. Either way is good!)

In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, the tahini, 180ml water, salt, and the ice cube. Whisk vigorously until the mixture comes together. It should lighten in colour and thicken enough that it holds an edge when the whisk is dragged through it.

Remove the ice cube if any remains unmelted and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice and salt until the sauce is addictive—you will know. Scrape the sauce into a shallow serving dish and hide it from the eaters in your house until ready to serve.

Layer a plate with the roasted fruit, then drizzle with the tahini dressing. Sprinkle with the reserved fresh thyme or oregano and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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