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Tahini Sauce

5.0

(1)

Sesame seed sauce is a popular condiment throughout the Middle East. It's especially prized in Israel, because Jewish dietary laws prohibit mixing meat and dairy products. Thus, the yogurt and cucumber or yogurt and mint sauce served with grilled lamb in Turkey and Lebanon would not be consumed by observant Jewish barbecue buffs in Israel. But tahini has the creaminess and tangy taste associated with yogurt.

This recipe originally accompanied Turkey Shawarma .

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 3/4 cups

Ingredients

1 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)*
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup (or more) hot water

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Spoon tahini into medium bowl. Add lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Add 1/2 cup hot water and whisk until well blended, adding more hot water by tablespoonfuls if mixture is very thick. Season to taste with salt. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

    Step 2

    • Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Middle Eastern markets.
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