Crispy Rice Cakes with Tarator Sauce

Preparation

1. Tarator Sauce

   Step 1

   Blend Almond Aioli, lemon juice, and garlic in a blender to combine; season with salt and pepper.

2. Rice Cakes

   Step 2

   Cook rice in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, stirring often to separate grains and prevent sticking, 6 minutes. Drain well and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool. Transfer cooled rice to a medium bowl.

   Step 3

   Whisk egg, egg yolk, ½ cup tarator sauce, and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl to combine and add to rice. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine; set aside.

   Step 4

   Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium. Just as butter starts to brown, drop four ¼-cupfuls of rice mixture into skillet and gently press down with a spatula to make ½"-thick cakes. Cook cakes until edges and bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack (they’re only cooked on one side). Wipe out skillet and repeat process with remaining vegetable oil, butter, and rice mixture to make 4 more cakes.

   Step 5

   Toss herbs with olive oil and remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice in a clean small bowl; season with salt and pepper.

   Step 6

   Divide ½ cup tarator sauce among plates and top each with 2 cakes. Squeeze lemon wedges over and season with more salt. Top with herbs.