TOMATO SALAD w/TURKISH TAHINI DRESSING

By BobD

Ingredients

• If tomatoes are unavailable, use this popular Turkish dressing with steamed vegetables or a green salad.
• 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, or a mixture of red and green tomatoes, cored and sliced
• 4 tablespoons sesame tahini
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 to 2 garlic cloves
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, lightly toasted and ground
• Freshly ground pepper or Aleppo pepper to taste
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Step 1

1. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a platter.

2. Mix together the tahini, water and lemon juice. Combine the garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle, and mash to a paste. Stir into the tahini mixture. Add the cumin, then salt and pepper (or Aleppo pepper) to taste. Thin out with water if the dressing is too thick to pour. Drizzle over the sliced tomatoes, sprinkle on the parsley and serve.

Yield: Serves four to six (the recipe makes about 2/3 cup dressing).

Advance preparation: The dressing will be good for a couple of days in the refrigerator, but it will thicken and become more pungent. Thin out with water as desired.