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Mykonos Taramasalata

If you love mayonnaise as much as I do, you will love this silky Greek fish roe spread, since it’s basically a salty, lemony mayonnaise made with coral-colored carp roe (also called tarama), which is available in most stores that sell Greek or Mediterranean products. It may sound unusual, but this aromatic puree is absolutely addictive. It’s particularly satisfying with bone-dry white wine, Seasoned Pita Crisps (p. 89), and crunchy vegetables such as carrots, celery, and fennel. Or serve a creamy dollop with sliced smoked salmon on toast points. If you’ve never worked with tarama, you’ll find it drier and more firmly packed than caviar, but it crumbles easily in a food processor.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 cups

Ingredients

4 ounces (1/2 cup) tarama, or carp roe
1/4 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 medium lemons)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 cups olive oil
Hot sauce

Preparation

  1. Place the tarama, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and paprika in the bowl of a food processor and pulse for 30 seconds, until the tarama is crumbly and the ingredients are combined. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until all is incorporated and the mixture is the consistency of mayonnaise. Taste for seasoning, and add more lemon juice and hot sauce as desired.

From Crescent City Cooking by Susan Spicer Copyright (c) 2007 by Susan Spicer Published by Knopf. Susan Spicer was born in Key West, Florida, and lived in Holland until the age of seven, when her family moved to New Orleans. She has lived there ever since, and is the owner of two restaurants, Bayona and Herbsaint. This is her first cookbook. Paula Disbrowe was the former Cowgirl Chef at Hart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas. Prior to that, she spent ten years working as a food and travel writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Food & Wine, and Saveur, among other major publications.
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