Tahina Sauce

We continue our culinary journey to the Middle East with the sauce derived directly from the Tahini Paste we learned to make yesterday. This is a great sauce to put on top of Falafel, Kabobs, Salads or just as a dip for Pita Bread. The great thing about Middle Eastern food is that it all just seems to go together so well.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Tahini Paste

3/4 Cup Water

1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice (2-3 lemons)

3 Cloves Garlic, crushed

1/2 Tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Italian Broadleaf Parsley, finely chopped

RECIPE

Squeeze the juice from 2 to 3 lemons, through a strainer. You’ll need about 1/2 a cup. Set aside.

Peel, then crush three cloves of garlic. Set aside.

NOTE: If you are going to use a blender or food processor for this recipe there is no need to break out a garlic press. Just take the side of your chef’s knife and apply pressure with your palm until it gives way.

Pour 1 cup of prepared Tahini Paste into food processor.

Add garlic and lemon juice to paste.

Puree until white and creamy on high setting.

Now, with the processor on a low setting, add salt 1/4 teaspoon at a time and slowly add water a 1/4 cup at a time.

Sauce is ready when white, creamy, smooth, and tangy to the taste. You can add more salt of lemon juice if needed, but it should be good to go as is. You can serve immediately, but I think it’s best after it’s been refrigerated for several hours in an airtight container. Should last about a week.

When you are ready to plate this sauce, drizzle some Olive Oil on top, dust with Paprika, and scatter some chopped parsley over it.

SIDE NOTE: I’m sure many of you are saying to yourselves, “Great, Cave! You’ve given us a paste and a sauce made from the paste … now what?!?!”. Can’t say that I blame you, but I have to give you all the base recipes so that by the end of this epicurean excursion you’ll be able to make everything you see here, save for the pita bread and the falafel, for a Middle Eastern feast.

Why no bread? Well, I just leave the baking to the Cavewoman. As for the falafel, I’m not totally happy with my recipe yet so it’s just not ready to share yet. But, I think I may have discovered the magic ingredient … if it works again I’ll share it immediately.

Tomorrow, Israeli Salad!

Prep Time = 15 Minutes

Cooking Time = n/a

Makes 2 Cups

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.