August 16, 2024
Another refreshing salad both for summer or winter. It has a very short ingredient list, full of nutrition and tastes great. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 lb (4-6 […]
Lots of olive oil based fresh vegetable dishes from the Mediterranean. Many tasty vegetarian & vegan dishes. Some of the Turkish mezes (appetizers) make great side dishes.
July 20, 2024
There’s long list of Turkish mezes (appetizers) that thick strained yogurt and garlic are used as the base. This refreshing yogurt dip happens to be one […]
June 8, 2024
Lentils, red and green are used in soups, salads, appetizers, and main dishes in Turkish cuisine, especially in Southeastern Turkey. Mixing them with spices, herbs, and […]
May 25, 2024
Fava bean paste/dip is definitely an appetizer favorite. Typically it is made with dried fava beans. It requires that you soak the beans overnight, then cook […]
May 18, 2024
This is a simple recipe that is a part of every Turkish home’s winter comfort food list. Almost always served with a dollop of yogurt on […]
March 30, 2024
Here’s an appetizer (meze) bursting with color and flavor. Its almost florescent pink color comes from red beets. Beets are a great source of nitric oxide, so […]
March 23, 2024
A traditional Turkish appetizer that happens to be vegan. It is loaded with flavors and with lentil & bulgur,it is rich in protein too. Typically served […]
March 9, 2024
This is definitely not a Turkish dish, unless you replace the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and drizzle some olive oil on top, then it could pass […]
February 24, 2024
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
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 […]
January 14, 2024
Mücver is a very popular zucchini dish in all regions of Turkey. Recently it has been getting a lot of attention in the West as well. […]
November 25, 2023
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 […]
November 18, 2023
If there’s a perfect comfort food for kids and grownups alike, this is it! İt is baked pasta with cheese, but it is definitely NOT “mac’n […]
November 11, 2023
Here’s a refreshing salad which happens to be a well-tested community recipe. Recently we enjoyed it at a dinner party at our friend Zinnur’s house and […]
October 27, 2023
Zucchini is one of the most versatile summer vegetables. You can stuff them, fry them, and make appetizers or salads. This one is easy to make, […]
September 22, 2023
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 […]
August 25, 2023
Stuffed zucchini is similar to stuffed eggplants, yet the taste is quite unique. This is a tasty yet very light dish. Original recipe calls for briefly […]
August 8, 2023
This is the kind of pilaf you could use for lunch or dinner bowls with chicken, beef or tofu. It is not only a very healthy […]
August 31, 2022
July 2, 2016
Here’s a perfect example of an Aegean-California fusion dish, if there is such a thing. Although the Mediterranean climate is perfect for growing avocados, they are […]
January 10, 2015
Carrots and onions sautéed in olive oil is a simple dish. Easy to prepare and takes less than 15 minutes to cook. Typically a […]
December 12, 2014
Quinoa Pilaf with Garbanzo Beans (Nohutlu Kinoa Pilavı) OK, I admit I did not know what quinoa was until just a few years ago. But then, […]
October 30, 2014
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. […]
March 11, 2014
Spinach Purée with Cheese Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh baby spinach 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 cups milk 1 cup grated romano or […]
February 14, 2014
Baked Spinach Rolls – Ispanaklı Kol Böreği Borek is typically a baked or fried pastry with cheese, minced meat or vegetable fillings. It is made with […]
January 28, 2014
Freekeh Pilaf with Garbanzo Beans Firik (freekeh) pilaf is from the Southeastern part of Turkey. It is an ancient dish originated around 2300 BC in the Middle […]
November 26, 2012
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, […]
October 19, 2012
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 14, 2012
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 Onions and Garlic in Olive Oil – Imam Bayıldı The name of this famous dish “Imam Bayıldı“ means “Priest Fainted”, supposedly with pleasure […]
June 26, 2012
Garbanzo Bean Dip with Cumin and Dills This is a dip similar to hummus, except that it does not have tahini (sesame paste) in it. Not […]
June 4, 2012
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 28, 2012
Pickled Beets Another easy, healthy recipe. Like other colorful root vegetables, beets are very good for you. Beets are rich in folic acid, calcium, iron and […]
May 24, 2012
Zucchini Fritters – Mücver Who knew zucchini tasted so good? Start with zucchini, add a bunch of herbs, add eggs and flour, then fry them to […]
May 22, 2012
Quinoa Salad with Artichokes and Sun Dried Tomatoes This is a simple summer salad that I make with Quinoa and other grains. You can use cooked […]
May 20, 2012
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 […]
April 22, 2012
Circassian Chicken Salad – Cerkez Tavugu This is one of classical mezes (appetizers) of the Ottoman Cuisine. It originates from the Caucasus Mountains where the Circassians […]
April 3, 2012
Couscous with Feta Cheese and Garbanzo Beans Couscous, originally from North Africa, is a pasta dish fairly common throughout the Middle East. In Turkey it mostly […]
March 18, 2012
Orzo Pilaf with Bellpeppers Orzo is most commonly used in soups in Turkish Cuisine. Growing up, when we had a cold, mom used to make chicken […]
March 14, 2012
Müceddere – Bulgur Pilaf with Green Lentils Ingredients: 1 cup green lentils soaked in water 3+ 2 cups water 1 cup size 3 bulgur ( cracked […]
March 5, 2012
Black Eyed Peas & Peppers in Olive Oil Here’s a simple dish that could be eaten hot or cold, either by itself or as a side […]
January 18, 2012
In the Aegean region, when artichokes are in season, the most common way people cook them is to stuff whole heads of fresh artichokes with seasoned […]
January 12, 2012
Ingredients: As I mentioned before, there’s supposed to be 41 different eggplant dishes in Turkish cuisine. This is one of the simplest ones. Though it is […]
January 4, 2012
Sautéed Mushrooms in Olive Oil This is one of the rare olive oil dishes from my kitchen that the directions does not start with “sauté onions […]
December 18, 2011
Celery Roots Braised in Olive Oil Ingredients: 2 celery roots 1 medium onion ½ cup olive oil 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 can organic garbanzo […]
June 11, 2011
Bulgur pilaf with sautéd mushrooms Bulgur pilaf with peas Bulgur Pilaf Traditionally bulgur(cracked wheat) is commonly used in Turkey. However, it is considered as the “poor […]
June 11, 2011
Ingredients: 2 lbs leeks 2 medium carrots 5-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons coarse size #4 bulgur (cracked wheat) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 […]
June 11, 2011
Japan meets Turkey! Many vegetable dishes are cooked with olive oil and onions in Turkey, and most of the Mediterranean countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, France […]
June 11, 2011
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 […]