Active Time

　　5 min

　　Total Time

　　5 min

　　This tahini-based sauce serves as the foundation for mezes like hummus and baba ghanouj throughout much of the Mediterranean, but it's also a wonderful sauce in its own right, showing its versatility by adding a nutty, lemony hit to the kùfte or to vegetables or fish.

Ingredients

　　1/2 cup well-stirred tahini

　　1/2 cup warm water

　　2 tab;espoons fresh lemon juice

　　1 small garlic clove

　　Purée all ingredients with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Sauce keeps, chilled, 1 week.