You have to love garlic to appreciate this most ancient of sauces.

Ingredients

　　3 thick slices white country bread, crusts removed, soaked in water

　　1/2 cup mashed potatoes

　　1/2 cup ground almonds

　　6–8 cloves garlic, crushed

　　1/3 cup white-wine vinegar

　　1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　A little salt

　　Squeeze the bread dry, put it in a food processor with the rest of the ingredients, and blend to a smooth, creamy paste.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf