This recipe for Tarator sauce is Lebanese and is tahini-based. Tahini, is also known as sesame paste, sesame butter or tahini paste.

It has the consistency of natural peanut butter and is nutritionally packed with protein, good unsaturated fat, a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and also vitamins B and E, magnesium, iron, and calcium.

The best part of this finished sauce? It's just absolutely delicious. The recipe is simple to make and goes together quickly, so you can whip it up within a matter of minutes before serving.

One good thing about tahini sauce is it lasts a long time in the refrigerator so you can make it whenever you need to.

Tarator sauce will get you rave reviews from your guests so be prepared to share the recipe. It goes well with so many things, like roasted vegetables, fish, rice bowls, and even burgers.

It's a great sauce to have on hand. It's a real keeper.

Tarator Sauce

1/2 cup well-stirred tahini

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

4-7 tablespoons hot water

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pulse in: 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Puree tahini, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons hot water, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne in a food processor.

Pulse in cilantro and more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency.

Serve sauce with vegetables, fish, falafel or just about anything from the grill.

Kings Mountain resident Cathey Noell writes about food and cooking for The Gaston Gazette and The Shelby Star. Email her at catheynoell@gmail.com.