Czech Republic Comfort Food Recipe: Tartar Sauce

The creativity and versatility of Czech cuisine are epitomized in family recipes for Tartar Sauce (Tatarská omáčka).

• Conventional concepts of tartar sauce are cast aside in Tatarská omáčka, which differs remarkably in flavors and texture from the culinary stereotype.
• Homemade mayonnaise contributes the revitalizing sparkle which encourages exploratory pairings as comfort food.
• As a basic recipe, tartar sauce invites variations according to preferences or pantry supplies.

 Czech tartar sauce is not restricted to use as a condiment for fish. Instead, Czech cuisine has expanded the condiment's boundaries par excellence through creative pairings with breads and vegetables.

At Czech tables, whether at home or in restaurants, tartar sauce is appreciated for its culinary contributions as a comforting condiment to the hearty cuisine of the Czech Republic.

Ingredients for 12 servings

Depending upon portion size, yields 12+ servings.

Allow for chill time of several hours after combining ingredients.

homemade mayonnaise:

• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon chopped capers

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1 small onion, diced

1 small pickle, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

dash of salt

pinch of sugar

1 teaspoon minced parsley

1. For homemade mayonnaise:

• Combine egg yolks with mustard, mixing well until creamy.
• Add oil slowly, in small doses, while stirring constantly.
• Gently fold in lemon juice.

2. For tartar sauce:

• Combine homemade mayonnaise with chopped capers, grated lemon peel, diced onion, and chopped pickle, blending well.
• Fold in seasonings (white pepper, salt, sugar).
• Top with minced parsley.
• Chill in refrigerator for several hours, at least, before serving.

Servings: 12+ depending on portion size. 

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Tatarská omáčka (tartar sauce) served in Pension-restaurace "U nás," Jetřichovice-Vysoká Lípa 126 (Okres Děčín): Nillerdk, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tatarská_omáčka.jpg

langoš se sýrem a tatarkou: Dezidor, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Langoš_se_sýrem_a_tatarkou.jpg