Category: FOOD & RECIPES

İmam bayıldı is a Turkish dish made from eggplant cooked with olive oil and filled with onions, garlic, and tomatoes and served at room temperature. It translates as the “imam swooned,” suggesting that the dish was so delicious that the imam, or prayer leader of the mosque, fainted at the sight and taste of it.

There are new batches of cherries in the markets at the moment. On our trip to Mugla this week I bought far too many. Now what to do with my glut of cherries? Baked Cherry Cheesecake is the answer. Ingredients 225 grams of biscuits (digestives are good but you can use any plain biscuits) 1

These borek are so simple to make that this isn’t really a recipe. More of a construction guide.They can be filled with anything. Spinach and meat is the favorite but potato works well as does minced lamb. They make the perfect snack when you are wandering round a market! Some of the best that I

In our markets broad beans have just started appearing. A rare treat from the local villages. They are never seem to be in abundance so I always grab them while I can and freeze some. Here are two lovely recipes that make the most of this spring delicacy. Broad Bean Dip 600g fresh broad beans  2

Since I moved to Turkey I haven’t missed any food. Even at Christmas there wasn’t much tat I missed. However, Easter is fast approaching and I have been known to consume quite a few hot cross buns. Toasted with lots of butter, cold with lots of butter, straight out of the packet, I don’t care

A good example of the richness of its cuisine is, without a doubt, Turkish dried fruits and nuts. No country eats and reveres dried fruit, seeds and nuts quite like Turkey. Today, the consumption of nuts has become an essential part of a healthy diet. Nuts have been recommended primarily for coronary heart diseases, problems in

This Mother’s day make your mum, or anyone else, a sweet treat that you can wrap and give. Turkish Delight and crunchy Nut Brittle make a lovely combination. Both these sweet treats are popular in Turkey. You can find them in markets and towns when you go shopping. Some of the nicest are found in

At this time of year there are hundreds of oranges in Turkey. Literally falling on the floor and rotting. So far I have marmalade, biscuits, rice pudding and sorbet! Now to try Turkish Orange cake……… Ingredients Zest from 5 oranges 4 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup flour Syrup: Juice from the 5 oranges

In Britain I was very good at knowing my wildflowers. If you had stuck me in the middle of a meadow or woodland I could have told what you could and couldn’t eat. Move to Turkey and I am slightly lost. Common Turkish herbs are easy, as is fruit. It’s everything in between. Flowers for

This is more than just a Persian soup. It can make a very filling meal and is a great way to use up vegetables and pulses that might otherwise be thrown away. I hate waste! Alternatively, visit a local market and try out some vegetables that you have never seen before. Visit a Turkish market

If you fancy going all out on pancakes today then try these gozleme as your main course followed by yet more pancakes. You can kid yourselves that you are being healthy before you ruin everything with lots of sugar, chocolate spread and maple syrup! To enjoy authentic Turkish gozleme you can try them on one of

Ever wondered what those dried things are that hang outside shops and in the market? Dried aubergine shells, is the answer. I hadn’t really taken much notice of them but I decided to explore and experiment! I have included a Turkish recipe below but these dried aubergines are fantastic as a carb free cannelloni substitute.

Tah-chin – Persian Savoury Rice cake Tah-chin is an Iranian rice dish that can be baked in the oven or cooked on the stove. The description of being a savoury cake always puts me off but please persevere. This is one of my favorite recipes and is a great comfort food. Tah-chin can be made

Totally guilt free flapjacks Make these totally guilt free flapjacks with a clear conscience! They are sugar free and packed with healthy ingredients. The perfect treat for when you aren’t meant to be eating treats. They also make a great addition to a lunchbox. Ingredients 2 over ripe bananas 150 gr porridge oats 3 tablespoons

My recipe for spicy sweet mixed nuts is the perfect way to use up leftovers from the holidays. You can use any combination of nuts or stick to one type. Easy to make and a tasty snack for any time of the day. Ingredients to make spicy sweet nuts 3 tbsp of runny honey 2

Tandır lamb is a dish that you can find in any Turkish restaurant. Here, I have taken the main principles but added some extras. It makes the perfect dish for New Year. Serve for a dinner party with added pitta, spiced rice and a pomegranate salad. As a big rustic stew after the fireworks or

These hazelnut biscuits are delicious with a cup of çay or coffee. Store in an airtight box they will keep for a week. As long as you can resist! Ingredients 250 g salted butter 350 g caster sugar 2 eggs 300 g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 50 g ground almonds 4 tbsp hazelnuts,

This recipe for Wedding Pilaf, Perde Pilaf, comes from the south east of Turkey. Roughly resembling a house, the final shape of the dish is meant to symbolise the building of a new home. The dough is filled with a variety of nuts, herbs and spices and chicken. Within the family the making of this celebratory dish falls to the women, they gather together and assemble the dish before the wedding dinner.

Now is the time of year that Turkish families begin to stock up for winter. If you visit the small villages around Dalyan you will see village life in full flow. Vegetables are pickled , jams and chutneys are cooked. Plum chutney is the perfect way to use up fruit before it spoils. Plum Chutney

This recipe is for a Turkish meze. Chili salad is delicious as a dip, paste or spread. Especially good wıth yoghurt and garlic! Turkish and Greek versions are very similar with the Turkish being much spicer. Ingredients (serves 4 as a side dish): 4 medium-sized tomatoes (it is important that you use the tastiest tomatoes

This is a delicious Turkish hummus recipe. Lovely in summer or winter. Recipe Serves 4 Preparation time – 15 minutes (add 1 hour if used dried chickpeas and soaking overnight) 225gr/8oz dried chickpeas, soaked in water overnight or for at least 6 hours or equivalent amount of precooked chickpeas in can 5ml /1 teaspoon salt

An honorary Turkish recipe! Turkish flora is extensive and varied. Turkey is one of only a handful of countries that self sufficient in it’s fruit and vegetable production. In a land of aubergines and honey this is a perfect addition to a plate of mezze. Especially good with Ezme. Crunchy aubergine crisps served with warm

Menemen – the best breakfast yet……. Recipe 1 red pepper, finely chopped 1 green pepper, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely sliced 4 medium tomatoes, finely diced 8 eggs 1 tablespoon olive oil  1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt and Pepper to taste Method Heat the olive oil in a frying pan then fry the

These courgette fritters are perfect as mezze or a snack. I have added red pepper flakes to my recipe as I like the kick it gives but this is not traditional! Recipe 3 courgettes 150 gr  Turkish white cheese or feta cheese 1/2 medium onion 3 spring onions 3 garlic cloves 1 bunch dill 3

Abagannuc or baba ghanoush is a popular mezze from Southern Turkey. It can be used as a dip or as part of a table full of mezze. It is also delicious as a sauce for spaghetti. Recipe 2 aubergines 1 red pepper 3 tomatoes 2 garlic cloves, crushed with a teaspoon of salt Juice of half a lemon 3

This recipe for honey cake is a mixture of a Greek and a Turkish recipe. I have elaborated on the similarities of the cuisines previously. Recipe You will need: 1 cup plain flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon crushed cardamom pods 1 teaspoon lemon zest 3/4

  These delicious ice lollies should help cool you down this summer You will need: 125g of caster sugar 1 lemon 250g of mulberries (or other soft fruit) 400g of yoghurt 2 teaspoons of rose water (or a handful of rose petals) Pour the sugar into a small pan and add 100ml water. Peel 4 large

I first tried this recipe out on my friends a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have become a little bit obsessed. It is the perfect meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Healthy, quick and filling. What more could you want? This recipe serves 4 Olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove,

Iskender Kebab is one of the most popular kebabs at home and a specialty of Bursa region. You can make this delicious Iskender Kebap at home; thin slices of lamb or beef in tomato based sauce, served over pide bread with yoghurt and grilled vegetables by the side. It is easier than you think and

Stuffed Vegetables (Dolma) is one of the most widely cooked and loved Turkish dish in Turkish home cooking. As it is the mothers day today in Turkey, with love and appreciation to all mothers around the world, we wanted to share the recipe of this delicious dish. Happy mothers day to all mothers 🙂 Ingredients;

Walking around Istanbul a couple of years ago on a beautiful but freezing day,  a street seller asked me if i would like to try Salep. I had heard of it but never tried it. A warm, traditional winter drink, made from the tubers of rare orchids. These Orchids have become so rare and so

This week’s recipe is a meze (starter) from Southeastern Turkish town Hatay: Spinach Borani. Hope you will enjoy it. Afiyet Olsun 😉 Ingredients; 1 kg spinach 1 medium onion – Grated 2 cloves garlic – finely chopped Olive oil Salt Pepper 4 table spoon yogurt For the top; Handful pine nuts 2 table spoons butter Pinch

Icli Kofte (pronounced: each-lee koefthe) meaning stuffed meatballs is one of my favourite dishes. As you may already know and explained before on our Traditional Recipes from Turkish Cuisine post, Turkish Cuisine is a mixture of recipes inherited from many different regions. Icli Kofte, as its known in Turkish, is more widely know as Kibbe, Kibbeh or Kebbah around the