Almond Tarator Recipes

ALMOND TARATOR

Steps:

• Finely grind almonds in processor. Add breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup water, lemon juice and garlic and process until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. With machine running, gradually add olive oil through feed tube. Mix in enough water to make thick creamy sauce. Season to taste with salt. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

CRISPY RICE CAKES WITH TARATOR SAUCE

Steps:

• Tarator Sauce:
• Blend Almond Aioli, lemon juice, and garlic in a blender to combine; season with salt and pepper.
• Rice Cakes:
• Cook rice in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, stirring often to separate grains and prevent sticking, 6 minutes. Drain well and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool. Transfer cooled rice to a medium bowl.
• Whisk egg, egg yolk, 1/2 cup tarator sauce, and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl to combine and add to rice. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine; set aside.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium. Just as butter starts to brown, drop four 1/4-cupfuls of rice mixture into skillet and gently press down with a spatula to make 1/2"-thick cakes. Cook cakes until edges and bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack (they're only cooked on one side). Wipe out skillet and repeat process with remaining vegetable oil, butter, and rice mixture to make 4 more cakes.
• Toss herbs with olive oil and remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice in a clean small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide 1/2 cup tarator sauce among plates and top each with 2 cakes. Squeeze lemon wedges over and season with more salt. Top with herbs.

TURKISH SAUTEED SEA BASS WITH ALMOND TARATOR

Steps:

• Stir flour, paprika and red pepper in shallow dish. Season fish with salt. Coat with flour mixture, shaking off excess. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Transfer fish to plates. Serve with Almond Tarator.

TARATOR (ALMOND SAUCE)

Steps:

• Place breadcrumbs, almonds, garlic, lemon juice and 4 tablespoons water in a food processor, and process until thick and smooth.
• With motor running, add oil in a thin stream. Add salt to taste and thin with remaining water if needed to make a thick creamy sauce.
• Place in bowl and sprinkle with paprika, if desired.