If you love falafels, but, like me, the price of tahini for the tahini sauce sends you stumbling backwards a few steps in the grocery aisle, you might want to give this recipe a try.

It has the essence of tahini sauce, without having to pop out of the store for a couple of hours to sell your plasma to buy tahini.

Poor Man’s Tahini Sauce

makes about a cup

1 cup plain yogurt

1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

1 clove garlic, crushed or finely minced

2 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 sprig parsley or cilantro, finely chopped

salt to taste

Blend all ingredients and chill for about an hour for the flavors to meld.

If you need one, here’s my recipe for falafels.