This simple delicious tangy appetizer is one of the many essential dishes that are part of Middle Eastern Mezza. Perhaps not as popular as hummus or mutabal (baba ghanoush) but it is as delicious. It only contains two ingredients, parsley, and tahini sauce. The name Ba’dounsiyeh comes from the word Ba’dounis, which is the Arabic word for Parsley.
Ba’dounsiyeh also can be used as a dip with your veggies, it’s commonly served next to any seafood dishes especially fried fish, more like a tartar sauce. I also love to have it with cauliflower fritters (mshaat).
Parsley has a lot of health benefits, and we use it often fresh and cooked in so many Palestinian dishes. Tabouleh, for instance, is one of the most popular and parsley considered one of its main ingredients. Check out my Tabouleh with Quinoa recipe here.
How to Make Ba’dounsieyh
Make sure you are using Italian parsley versus American parsley, there is a big difference in the taste. Pick stems out and wash parsley well, rinse from water. I usually lay it on a kitchen towel for few minutes before chopping so it’s fully dried from water.
Then chop the parsley finely either by hand using a sharp knife, or if you have a food processer, you can use it which is less time consuming. In this case, we are only using about one and a half bunches so chopping by hand for this small quantity won’t take much time.
In the meantime, make the tahini sauce separately, start by pouring about ⅓ cup of tahini sauce in a bowl, start by gradually adding half of that amount water and start stirring, initially tahini will thicken and the color will start becoming lighter, pour more water and continue to stir until it turns softer and more liquidy, then add lemon juice and salt, adjust to taste.
The tahini sauce mustn't be thick since it needs to be added to the parsley and it should be more like a dip or a dressing. Then pour over the parsley and mix well. And there you have it a very easy appetizer that you can prepare in less than 15 minutes.
Serve as an appetizer or a dip. It goes well next to seafood dishes especially fried fish.
Ba’dounsiyeh - Parsley with Tahini Sauce
Description
This simple delicious tangy appetizer is one of the many essential dishes that are part of Middle Eastern Mezza, perhaps not as popular as hummus or mutabal (baba ghanoush) but it is as delicious. It only contains two ingredients, parsley, and tahini sauce. The name Ba’dounsiyeh comes from the word Ba’dounis, which is the Arabic word for Parsley.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces’ Italian parsley finely chopped (about 1.5 bunches)
- ⅓ Tahini sauce
- ⅓ Water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt
Instructions
- Pick stems out and wash parsley well, rinse from water.
- Chop parsley finely either by hand using a sharp knife or if you have a food processor.
- Make the tahini sauce separately, start by pouring about ⅓ cup of tahini sauce in a bowl, add half of that amount water and start stirring until it becomes soft and liquid, continue to add the rest of the water, then add lemon juice and salt adjust to taste.
- Pour tahini sauce over the parsley, mix well together.
Shoshana Handel says
Good Morning. I am a Pro-Palestinian woman who was raised Zionist. I've decided to start cooking Palestinian foods in solidarity with your people. It's also a creative outlet for my anger, sorrow, and feelings of helplessness.
Last night I made this recipe. I've never used that much parsley in my life, and was anxious about the result. IT WAS A HIT! We ate it with crackers, and this morning my (22 year old non verbal) son wanted it with his eggs.
Thank you Wafa. FREE PALESTINE!
Wafa Shami says
Hello Shoshana, thank you for your message and for standing in solidarity—it takes real courage, and I deeply admire that. I'm so glad you and your son enjoyed this recipe. Free Palestine.
Shoshana Handel says
I forgot to put the 5 stars on my last comment!
Wafa Shami says
Thank you.
Shoshana Handel says
I have an update :). I saw another recipe that included garlic, so tried it. It's really good with the garlic, more like hummus (and I think super heart healthy!), but your version is a bit "crisper", and more refreshing for summer. So now I have two versions to enjoy.
PS. I'm so crazy for this dip that I bring it in to gift co-workers. I love saying "I brought you some PALESTINIAN dip" :).
Wafa Shami says
Hi Shoshana, so good to hear from you again! Garlic is always a great addition, but once added it won’t keep the same taste and quality in the fridge for long.
I’m so glad your co-workers are enjoying it too 😊. Thanks so much for your support and for continuing to spread awareness through food!
Raymond Stuart says
Delicious recipe. My Jewish young granddaughter loved it mixed with pasta. I am however a bit disappointed this being turned into a political issue. I am in sympathy for all the citizens both Palestinian and Israel killed in the conflict. I think perhaps if you really want to make a statement that instead of using the statement Free Palestinian you should use Free Palestinian from Hamas
Peace, Shalom
Ray.
Wafa Shami says
Hello Ray, Thank you for your review! I'm so glad to hear that your granddaughter enjoyed this recipe. I deeply sympathize with all innocent lives lost in this conflict. Back in September of last year the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution demanding end of Palestine occupation. I recommend you do a bit of research and learn more about who the real occupiers of Palestine are. I pray that all Palestinians will one day have the same freedom and equal rights as every citizen in the world.
Shoshana Handel says
FREE PALESTINE!
Wafa Shami says
Free Palestine 🇵🇸
Rue says
Great stuff. I was curious after hearing mention of badounsiyeh in Teta's Kitchen (online, by Rabet) as a side for madfooneh. It even looks like tartar sauce : but I had it with poultry to deplete an annoyingly huge amount of parsley⸺there's still some left ꜀( ꜆-ࡇ-)꜆ ! Thank you. Excited to dive into other recipes. A+ info TBH & photographical art. Also...your previous commenter S. Handel rocks I felt what they felt 🌻 from the river to the sea
Wafa Shami says
Hello Rue, thank you for the review and kind words! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Ba’dounsiyeh is such a delicious side dish—very popular in Palestine, yet still underrated outside of it. Free Palestine 🇵🇸