Best Basic Lemon Tahini Sauce

Directions

1. Marinate the garlic in the freshly-squeezed lemon juice for 10 minutes with half the salt. Garlic tends to have a harsh, pungent sharpness that might make the sauce too sharp and spicy. The acidity of lemon juice prevents the garlic from becoming too spicy. For an even deeper flavor, we suggest doing this step in a blender or a food processor. Blend on high for a few seconds and let the mixture stand for 10 minutes so that the garlic mellows.

2. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the garlic chunks. This step ensures a perfectly smooth sauce and prevents the harsh taste of garlic from empowering the sauce.

3. Add in the tahini and rest of the salt. At this time, although not required, you can add in cumin to round out the flavor of the sauce. Whisk together. The tahini will seize at this point.

4. Add in ice-cold water tablespoon by tablespoon. The addition of the ice-cold water will loosen the sauce. Continue to whisk all ingredients together until desired consistency has been reached.

5. Adjust taste if necessary. In case you feel that the sauce is lacking, add in additional lemon juice, salt, or other spices to give the sauce that flavor you’re looking for.

Quick Version

1. Strapped for time but still want to make a lemon tahini sauce? Skip marinating the garlic in lemon juice in the first two steps and use garlic powder to taste or ½ tsp of minced garlic. Add garlic and lemon juice in with step three above and follow remaining directions.