Lebanese Garlic Sauce, Toomeh

This sauce goes well with any type of grilled meat: chicken, kafta and lamb. The classical recipe requires a substantial amount of garlic; it gives it a wonderful taste which complements any grilled meat. However, if you find that garlic is too strong reduce the amount.
Another thing, I find it better to prepare an hour or two in advance so the flavour develops, having said that, Toomeh is better consumed the same day or within 48 hrs. Originally this is a Lebanese mayonnaise like garlic sauce made with egg yolk, breadcrumbs, olive oil and lots of crushed garlic. Sometimes this is tricky to make, so I came up with my own simplified version.
Ingredients
• 1 medium to small potato peeled, cut into chunks. Put in a small pan covered with water
• 8-10 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed to a smooth paste
• 2tbsp organic mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp plain yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or to taste
• Salt & freshly milled black pepper

Method
• Add a pinch of salt to the potato and bring to boil, simmer until ready to mash
• Meanwhile, crush the garlic to a paste.
• Once the potato is cooked, drain from water, leave it for about 30 sec uncovered to make sure it is dry; you don’t want any excess of water. Add the potato to the garlic paste; mash them together until you have the consistency of creamed potato. Grind some freshly milled black pepper.
• Add mayonnaise followed by yoghurt and lemon juice. Mix with the spoon until all the ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust if necessary.
• Cover and keep in the fridge if you are not using it immediately, but always serve at room temperature.

Serves 4 people