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Taramosalata
Taramosalata: Greek fish roe dip whipped with bread, lemon and olive oil
Taramosalata is the star of Clean Monday, the first day of Greek Lent, scooped onto torn lagana at picnics while children fly kites, and it stays on taverna meze tables all year. The real thing is beige-pink, not bright pink, made from salted cured carp or cod roe (tarama) beaten with soaked bread, onion, lemon and oil into a salty, briny, mousse-like dip. Because tarama is cured rather than cooked, buy pasteurised roe for a safer version; even so, this dip is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system. Common mistake: adding the oil too fast, which splits it. Chef's tip: use white tarama if you can find it; it is less salty and lets the lemon shine.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
Fresh ingredients (3)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak 5 ½ oz stale white bread in cold water for 2 minutes, then squeeze it as dry as you can.
Step 2: Blend 2 ⅞ oz pasteurised cured fish roe (tarama) and ½ onion in a food processor for 1 minute into a smooth paste.
1 minStep 3: Add the bread and half of 2 tbsp lemon juice and blend until smooth.
Step 4: Mix ½ cup light olive oil and ¼ cup sunflower oil and, with the motor running, pour them in a very thin stream, as for mayonnaise, until the dip is thick, pale and fluffy. Common mistake: tipping the oil in fast, which makes it split and greasy.
4 minStep 5: Blend in the rest of 2 tbsp lemon juice and, if it is very stiff, 2 tbsp cold water. Taste; it should be salty and sharp. Chill for 1 hour and serve within 2 days, with 6 Kalamata olives if you like.
60 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does taramosalata take?
- About 20 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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