Toum Garlicky Lebanese Shawarma Sauce Recipes

LEBANESE GARLIC SAUCE (TOUM)

Steps:

• Slice the garlic cloves in half lengthwise and remove any green sprouts.
• Transfer the sliced garlic cloves into a food processor and add the kosher salt to the garlic cloves. Process for a minute until the garlic becomes finely minced. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor afterwards.
• While the food processor is running, slowly pour one to two tablespoons of oil, then stop and scrape down the bowl. Continue adding another tablespoon or two until the garlic starts looking creamy.
• Once the garlic looks emulsified by the few tablespoons of oil, increase the speed of pouring the oil and alternate with the 1/2 cup of lemon juice until all the oil and lemon juice is incorporated. This will take about 15 minutes to complete.
• Transfer the sauce into a glass container and cover with a paper towel in the fridge overnight. Makes about 4 cups.
• The next day, replace the paper towel with an airtight lid and keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.

TOUM | GARLICKY LEBANESE SHAWARMA SAUCE

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor add the garlic and salt. Pulse several times and then process for about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the processor and process again. Keep repeating this until the garlic is completely broken down (to release the emulsifiers), adding a Tbs of lemon juice if needed.
• Add 1 Tbs of lemon juice.
• Add 1/2 cup of oil in a slow drizzle while processing, add 1 Tbs of lemon juice. Keep repeating this step alternating between a slow drizzle of oil and a Tbs of lemon juice until the sauce transforms into the consistency and garlic-ness desired. Adding more oil diminished the strong garlic taste. Your sauce will mellow over time in the fridge so it's great to have a robust sauce to start with.

TRADITIONAL TOUM (LEBANESE GARLIC SAUCE) RECIPE

Steps:

• Mortar and Pestle Method: Depending on the size of your mortar, you may need to make the recipe in smaller batches, halving or quartering the ingredient amounts. In the mortar, combine garlic and salt and grind until it becomes a smooth paste. Work oil into paste 1 teaspoon at a time. After adding 1 tablespoon oil, work in a few drops of lemon juice. Repeat until all the oil, lemon juice, and water have been incorporated.

TOUM (GARLIC WHIP)

Steps:

• Place peeled garlic and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the garlic for 30 seconds, scrape down the sides of the bowl, then repeat three more times until garlic is finely chopped.
• Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and continue processing until a smooth paste forms, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl every 45 seconds or so. You want the wet, finely chopped garlic mixture to end up with a texture similar to mashed potatoes. Pinch it between your fingertips, and it should no longer feel gritty. (If you don't blend the garlic enough at this stage, it won't become fluffy and emulsified later.)
• With the food processor running, start incorporating 1 cup oil, drizzling it in at a slow, steady stream. Once the oil is incorporated, slowly add another 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Repeat this step with another 1 cup oil, then another 2 tablespoons lemon juice. By the end, the mixture should have a fluffy consistency.
• With the food processor running, alternate adding 1/2 cup oil in a slow, steady stream, then 1 tablespoon lemon juice. This should happen twice. Next, with the food processor running, add the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a slow stream until totally incorporated, then do the same for the ice water.
• Once finished, transfer to a lidded container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Toum will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 weeks.