Hummus
Chickpeas, tahini, lemon
Tashi is a popular dip made from a crushed sesame seed paste known as tahini, and it is enjoyed by people all throughout Cyprus. Cypriots usually serve their tashi with pitta bread and mezes, or as a sauce alongside grilled meat like pork or chicken souvla.
Tashi is a simple dip flavoured with lemon juice and garlic. Each Cypriot has their own recipe depending on how much garlic and lemon juice they prefer — below is our version.
Juice 4 lemons in a lemon juicer and set aside. Peel and grate two cloves of garlic and set aside.
Pour the contents of the tahini paste into a mixing bowl. Add the grated garlic and a pinch of salt.
Slowly pour the lemon juice into the mixing bowl a little at a time and mix until all of it is incorporated. The mixture may change colour to a dark brown and the texture will become quite thick, like a sticky paste — this is very normal.
Add 1½–2 cups of water a little at a time and mix until all the water is incorporated. You may need a little more or less water depending on when your mixture reaches a dip-like consistency, similar to yoghurt. The mixture will also become lighter in colour.
Sprinkle chopped parsley on your tashi as a garnish, and it is ready.
Serve with pitta bread and mezes, or as a sauce alongside grilled meat like pork or chicken souvla.