February 24, 2024

CRISPY TURKISH CHEESE ROLLS – SİGARA BÖREĞİ

Here comes a delicious appetizer that is surely one of the favorites for Turkish mezze platters. Phyllo dough sheets with cheese filling are rolled like a […]
February 10, 2024

Sprouted Beans with Peppers

Turkish cuisine is rich with tasty vegan recipes. Most vegetable dish recipes start with “sauté onions in olive oil”. After that, you simply cook vegetables or […]
November 25, 2023

SAVORY COOKIES WITH CHEESE – PEYNİRLİ KURABİYE

Some of us favor savory treats to sweets. I’m definitely one of those people. This savory cookie is late Ozcan Hanim teyze’s special family recipe. It’s […]
September 22, 2023

Cauliflower Casserole-Fırında Karnabahar

The word “karnabahar” in Turkish literally means “spring blossoms for stomach”. I searched the dictionary further, it might also mean “flowering cabbage”. Either way it is […]
November 14, 2014

Simple and Delicious Green Lentil Salad with Herbs – Maydanozlu Yeşil Mercimek Salatası

 Green Lentil Salad with Herbs My friend Zinnur, ever so busy, somehow always finds time to get the friends together at her house. This salad was […]
November 8, 2014

Roasted Bell Peppers in Lemon Garlic Sauce – Tarator Soslu Közlenmiş Biber

Tarator is a garlic-olive oil based sauce that is commonly used in summer salads in Western Turkey. Cooked long string beans (börülce), zucchini, peppers of all […]
October 30, 2014

Eggplants, Peppers & Tomatoes in Olive Oil – Kırlı Kızartması

Eggplants, Peppers & Tomatoes in Olive Oil Literally meaning “peasant fries”, Kirli Kizartmasi is a local dish from Aydin province in the Aegean region of Turkey. […]
December 30, 2013

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Almonds and Mint – Nazuktan

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Almonds and Mint – Nazuktan Roasted Eggplant Salad with Almonds and Mint – Nazuktan Nazuktan is a Central Anatolian recipe. I have […]
November 26, 2012

Bar Pilaf with Shrimps – Karidesli Meyhane Pilavı

Bar Pilaf with Shrimps – Karidesli Meyhane Pilavı Meyhane is a cross between a restaurant and a pub. “mey” means “wine” and “hane” means “house”, however, […]
November 23, 2012

Baked Salmon Wrapped in Grape Leaves – Asma Yaprağında Somon

Baked Salmon Wrapped in Grape Leaves – Asma Yaprağında Somon Although the term “stuffed grape leaves” typically refers to grape leaves stuffed with rice or bulgur […]
November 2, 2012

3 Layer Potato Salad – 3 Katlı Patates Salatası

3 Layer Potato Salad – 3 Katlı Patates Salatasi This in fact, is an appetizer/salad that consists of 3 different appetizers in three different colors layered […]
October 19, 2012

Spinach and Mushrooms in Olive Oil – Zeytinyağlı Mantarlı Ispanak

Spinach and Mushrooms in Olive Oil – Zeytinyağlı Mantarlı Ispanak Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil 1 small or 1/2 medium onion, sliced 1 lb baby spinach […]
October 16, 2012

Layered Cauliflower-Broccoli Salad – Katlı Karnıbahar-Brokoli Salatası

Cauliflower-Broccoli Salad – Karnıbahar-Brokoli Salatası Ingredients: 1 medium cauliflower 1 lb broccoli juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon mustard salt and pepper […]
October 14, 2012

Uzbek Pilaf with Chicken – Tavuklu Özbek Pilavı

Uzbek Pilaf with Chicken – Tavuklu Özbek Pilavı Uzbek Pilaf is traditionally prepared with lamb browned in butter or lamb fat. I’ve modified the recipe by […]
October 5, 2012

Eggplants Stuffed with Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic in Olive Oil – Imam Bayıldı

Eggplants Stuffed with Onions and Garlic in Olive Oil – Imam Bayıldı The name of this famous dish  “Imam Bayıldı“ means “Priest Fainted”, supposedly with pleasure […]
June 19, 2012

Poğaça – Savory Pastry with Cheese Filling

Poğaça – Savory Pastry with Cheese Filling Poğaça is a delicious little pasty which usually accompanies tea coffee in the morning or in afternoon. It is unresistable […]
June 4, 2012

Carrot Salad with Garlic Yogurt – Yoğurtlu Havuç Ezmesi

Carrot Salad with Garlic Yogurt “Raki” is an anise based drink that is unofficially considered to be the national drink of Turkey. Raki is not just […]
May 20, 2012

Swiss Chard Rolls with Bulgur Stuffing – Bulgurlu Pazi Dolmasi

Swiss Chard Rolls with Bulgur Stuffing Ingredients: 2 bunches of Swiss Chards (about 12 leaves) 3 cups boiling water 1 ½ cup No1(fine) or No 2 […]
December 17, 2011

Holiday Quinoa Salad

Holiday Quinoa Salad Quinoa Salad with Red & Green Peppers Ingredients: ·         1 cup organic quinoa ·         ½ cup olive oil ·         1 medium onion ·         […]
June 11, 2011

BOREK: Savory Cheese Pastry Squares

Savory Pastry Squares: BOREK This is a recipe from my dear late father-in-law, Vakif Ari who had many “signature dishes” from borek to omlettes, salads, and […]