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.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.