Taramosalata (Greek Fish Roe Dip)
Local name: Ταραμοσαλάτα
In short: A pale, fluffy dip of salted fish roe whipped with olive oil, lemon and potato, served with warm pita and vegetables. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 275 kcal
Taramosalata is a pale pink dip of salted fish roe whipped with oil, lemon and potato or bread. It is a Greek meze served all year, but especially on Lenten days, when meat and dairy are avoided. Good taramosalata is fluffy and balanced, not too fishy and not too salty. Serve it with warm pita, olives, raw vegetables or fried zucchini.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in unsalted water for about 20 minutes until very soft. Drain well and mash them completely smooth while warm. Cool to room temperature.
- Put the tarama, grated onion and 60 ml of lemon juice in a food processor. Blend for 1 minute until pale and smooth.
- Add the cooled mashed potato and blend again until combined.
- With the machine running, pour in the oil in a thin stream, as if making mayonnaise, until the mixture is pale, creamy and fluffy. Add the cold water to lighten it.
- Taste and add more lemon juice if you like. Chill for 1 hour, then serve drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with olives.
Tips
- Tarama is salty, so taste the dip before adding any salt. Rinse the roe paste briefly in a sieve if the jar tastes very strong.
- For the older bread-based version, soak 3 slices of stale white bread in water, squeeze them dry and use them instead of the potato.
Questions and answers
What is tarama?
Tarama is salted, cured carp or cod roe, and it is the base of the dip. It is sold in jars in Greek and Mediterranean shops.
Why is taramosalata pink?
The roe itself is pale beige to pink, and some producers add coloring. A homemade dip is usually a soft beige or light pink.
How long does taramosalata keep?
Up to 5 days in a covered jar in the fridge. It thickens when cold, so loosen it with a spoon of water or lemon juice.
How long does it take to make Taramosalata (Greek Fish Roe Dip)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Taramosalata (Greek Fish Roe Dip)?
About 275 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 275 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
