Samak Tarator

Name: Samak Tarator
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: 6 fish steaks or fillets; Salt; Olive oil; 1 slice white bread, crusts removed; 1 cup pine nuts; Juice of 1–2 lemons; 1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed; Salt and white pepper; 1/2 cup light sesame or sunflower oil

December 9, 2011

Tarator is the name used in different countries for sauces made with a variety of nuts. This sharp, garlicky one with pine nuts belongs to Syria and Lebanon. In Egypt it was served at grand buffet parties, where whole fish were entirely covered with it. For this simpler version you may use any white fish—fillets or steaks.

Recipe notes

Popover-Topped Pot Pie

A lofty popover replaces pie crust in this vegetarian pot pie filled with potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, and asparagus.

Mango Sticky Rice

Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.

Easy Egg Custard

With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.

Simple Hot Cocoa for One

With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.

Smoked Salmon Pasta With Capers and Dill

Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.

Spicy Honey Orange Shrimp (Xiang La Fengmi Xia)

A satisfying weeknight dinner from Tiffy Chen. Serve with rice or noodles.

Chicken Riggies

Hot pickled cherry peppers add acidity and heat to this beloved regional pasta.

Cod With Chorizo, Greens, and Chickpeas

In this one-pan dinner, flaky cod is finished in a chorizo-spiked sauce, alongside wilty greens and chickpeas—some tender, some crispy.