Taramasalata

Taramasalata

In a perfect world, taramasalata is made with the salted roe of grey mullet during an idle moment under atomic Greek sunshine. Failing these ingredients, cod's roe is the universal substitute.

Ingredients

• 225g / 8 oz smoked cod's roe
• 4-5 slices of white bread
• 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
• 550ml / 1 pint olive oil
• Juice of 3 lemons

Method

1. Defrost roe, cut in half and remove skin (or scrape roe off skin with a knife).
2. Soak the roe in water for 30 minutes then drain.
3. Remove crusts from bread then add a little water and fork into a paste.
4. Put bread in blender and add garlic. Blend.
5. Add a quarter of the oil and a quarter of the roe. Blend a little more.
6. If mixture looks too dry, add a small amount of water.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6.
8. Season to taste with lemon juice.
9. Chill.
10. Serve with olives and thin toast.