Skip to main content

Tarator bi Tahina

A ubiquitous sauce in Syria and Lebanon, served with fried and grilled fish as well as with cold fish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 3 cups

Ingredients

1 cup tahina
1/4–1/2 cup lemon juice, or more
1–1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt
2–4 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Blend the tahina with the lemon juice and water in the food processor. The paste will stiffen at first and then become smooth. Add enough water to achieve a light cream. Add cumin, season to taste with salt, and beat in the garlic.

    Step 2

    Pour over cold fish or serve in a separate bowl. Garnish with parsley, if you like.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.