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
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Every salad should have pita chips.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.