Tasting Turkish Culture

Ingredients 2-3 medium potatoes boiled and shredded 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp red pepper 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp dried mint 2 tbsp oil salt to taste 5 cups hot water Directions; 1-In a pot add oil and onion, saute them over medium heat. Then add tomato paste, salt, spices, and shredded potatoes. 2-Stir gently to mix thoroughly. Then pour the 5 cups hot water and boil for 5 more minutes over medium heat. Serve soup hot or warm. Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 1 chicken thigh 1/2 cup orzo 1 egg 1 lemon 2 tbsp white flour 6 cups water 1 tbsp vegetable or corn oil 1 tsp red pepper salt to taste minced garlic ( optional ) Directions; 1- In a big pot, add 6 cups water and chicken and boil until chicken is thoroughly cooked. 2- In a separate pot, strain  the chicken broth with a strainer. Then cut the chicken into very small pieces.Add into the pot. Then and orzo. Cook  over medium heat until orzo gets soft. 3- In a mixing bowl, beat the egg, flour, and the juice of one lemon. 4- Then slowly pour this mixture into the pot. Boil for 5 more minutes over medium heat. 5-In a sauce pan, add oil and red pepper. Saute for one minute and then add to soup. If the soup is too thick and hot boiled water as needed. Also, if you add garlic.The soup tastes same as tripe soup... Serve it hot. Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 1 stick softened butter 2 egg whites ( save yolks for brushing on top ) 1/4 cup corn or vegetable oil 1/2 plain yogurt 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp baking powder Flour as needed ( approx. 5 cups) (dough should be soft and not sticky ) 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 bunch of dill, finely diced For top; Black sesame seeds 2 egg yolks Directions; 1- In a mixing bowl, add the soft butter, egg whites, oil, and yogurt mix until smooth. Then add baking powder and flour little by little. Make a soft dough. 2- Then add feta cheese and dill. Knead them. Then give a shape. 3-Brush with the beaten egg yolks. 4-Sprinkle the top with black sesame seeds. Bake at 350 F preheated oven until light brown. Baking time is approx. 20-25 min. Serve it cold. Afiyet Olsun.

Ingredients 1 packet phyllo dough # 10 or Turkish triangle phyllo dough Filling; 2-3 medium eggplant (peeled in strips and finely diced ) 1 medium onion ( finely diced) 1 medium green banana pepper ( finely diced ) 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp red pepper 1 tsp salt 3 tbsp corn or vegetable oil 2 cups of water Sauce; 2 eggs 1-1/2 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup corn or vegetable oil 1 bottle mineral water ( optional ) Black sesame seeds Directions; 1-Saute the oil and onion in a cooking pot. Then add peppers and eggplant and saute over medium heat. Then tomato paste, spices, salt and water. Cook mixture until water is absorbed. Then let it cool down. 2- In a small bowl beat the egg and add the oil and yogurt. Mix well. 3- Take a piece of the pyhllo dough and pour 1 tbsp sauce and brush the mixture to spread over dough. Then add 2 tbsp eggplant mixture and wrap it gently. Place on oiled tray.Repeat this procedure until the pyhllo dough is finished. If y