April 4, 2025
This vibrant salad draws inspiration from traditional Turkish cuisine, where beets are often cooked before being added to dishes. However, in recent years, raw beet recipes […]
Many Turkish and Mediterranean recipes are vegan. They have been perfected over the centuries with spices and herbs that are unique to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Cooking with olive oil has its advantages for those who are looking for vegan recipes. Walnuts, pine nuts and other nuts that are often used in Turkish dishes enhances the nutrition of vegan appetizers, side dishes and desserts.
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 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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
May 31, 2023
Do you want a light dessert that is easy to prepare, yet tastes amazingly delicious? This one is for you. Apples poached with raisins, cinnamon sticks […]
April 15, 2023
Ingredients: 1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup water 3 table spoons tahini (sesame paste) 1 clove garlic, […]
August 31, 2022
May 14, 2018
Here’s a sinfully decadent vegan dessert that is healthy at the same time. Looks delicious and is always a party favorite as an appetizer. It is very […]
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 […]
March 20, 2015
Here’s a refreshing fruit dessert that looks appetizing and tastes heavenly. It is easy to make, easy to serve. It makes a great breakfast/brunch dessert as well. I’m […]
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, […]
December 2, 2014
Hummus with Red Beets Ingredients: 1 small-medium beet (1 cup) 2 cups of water 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained 2 table spoons tahini (sesame paste) […]
November 14, 2014
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
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 Literally meaning “peasant fries”, Kirli Kizartmasi is a local dish from Aydin province in the Aegean region of Turkey. […]
May 26, 2014
Red Beet Green Apple Salad I don’t believe there are any Turkish recipes that use raw beets. Typically in Turkish Cuisine, beets are cooked before they […]
May 22, 2014
Cauliflower Tabule (Tabbouleh) Salad – Karnıbahar Kısırı Tabule (Tabbouleh) is a traditional Lebanese salad made with fine bulgur, finely chopped herbs, seasoned with olive oil and […]
March 7, 2014
Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing Ingredients: 6 cups baby kale 1 medium green apple, sliced 1 medium orange, peeled 1 small avocado, diced 2 Tbsp hemp […]
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 […]
February 4, 2014
Barley Salad with Pomegranate Seeds I make a quinoa salad similar to this. I was having my friends for lunch and I planned to cook […]
January 31, 2014
Collard Greens Soup with Corn and Beans My friend Nur is is a master chef in the kitchen. She is from the Black Sea region of […]
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 […]
December 30, 2013
Roasted Eggplant Salad with Almonds and Mint – Nazuktan Roasted Eggplant Salad with Almonds and Mint – Nazuktan Nazuktan is a Central Anatolian recipe. I have […]
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 16, 2012
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 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 […]
August 21, 2012
Plum Preserves At the peak of summer, local farmers markets are bursting with colorful fruits and vegetables. I bought two different kinds of plums. One had […]
July 18, 2012
Shepherd’s Salad – Çoban Salatası Especially popular during summer, Shepherd’s Salad (Çoban Salatası) is light, refreshing and easy to make. It is a combination of finely […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
May 11, 2012
Apricot Jam With their velvety skin, “melts in your mouth” taste and fantastic aroma, apricots are undoubtedly one of the delicacies of summer. Apricot jam is […]
May 5, 2012
Swiss Chards with Bulgur in Olive Oil This dish is a sort of “West meets East” version of the traditional Swiss Chard dish from Turkey. Swiss […]
April 12, 2012
White Beans over Rice – Kurufasulye – Pilav is one of the most basic, traditional, comforting dishes in the Turkish Cuisine. If you go to a […]
April 9, 2012
Fruit Salad with Nuts Ingredients: 1 cup blueberries 1 mango, cubed 1 orange, cubed 3 small mandarin oranges 1 cup strawberries, cut in quarters 1 cup […]
March 22, 2012
Poached Pears with Walnuts, Apricots and Currants Ingredients: Poached Pears 1 bottle of red wine 1 + 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 […]
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 14, 2012
Mung Bean Salad – Maş Fasulyesi Piyazi Piyaz in general is a bean salad with chopped onions and herbs in an olive oil – vinegar dressing. […]
March 9, 2012
Red Cabbage Salad In the summer of 2009, we went on a 3 day bus trip with our friends from high school to Amasra, a small […]
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 […]
February 14, 2012
Pumpkin Glace, a heavenly dessert I thought for Valentine’s Day, I should post something sweet. This is one of my favorite non-chocolate desserts, one that is […]
February 10, 2012
Black Eyed Peas Salad – Borulce Piyazi Piyaz is a kind of salad or meze that is made from some kind of dry beans, onions, parsley, […]
February 3, 2012
Quince is a funny looking, lumpy shaped fruit that is not very easy to eat. When mature, they get sweeter, but they are never very sweet. […]
January 28, 2012
Green Lentils with Carrots in Olive Oil In Turkish cuisine, like throughout the Middle East, both red and green lentils are used quite often, especially […]
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
I grew up in a small town called Atca in the Aegean region of Turkey. I was lucky to be born in a beautiful place with […]
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 […]
December 17, 2011
Holiday Quinoa Salad Quinoa Salad with Red & Green Peppers Ingredients: · 1 cup organic quinoa · ½ cup olive oil · 1 medium onion · […]
December 11, 2011
Black Bean Salad I have to admit that there’s nothing Turkish about this recipe. Practically no one has heard of black beans, cilantro or quinoa in […]
December 9, 2011
Roasted Eggplant Salad When people see me buying eggplants at the supermarket, sometimes they ask “how do you cook them?, do you steam or stir […]
December 5, 2011
Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil There are several kinds of green beans in Turkey. Some are broad, some not. Fresh form of black eye beans […]
July 11, 2011
Potato Rollups This is one of my “California meets Turkey” recipes. Boiled, mashed potatoes are used as filling for many Turkish savory pastries along with cheese […]
July 1, 2011
This is a recipe from my sister Nuvit’s friend Ahu who lives in Istanbul. Ingredients: 1 cup dry green lentils ½ cup rice ¼ cup […]
July 1, 2011
Cabbage Salad I had this salad at my friend Vega’s house first. Her husband Haluk is the king of salads. I came home and tried to […]
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 […]