Tasting Turkish Culture

Filling:   1/2 lb. ground beef  2 onion, finely chopped  1/2 cup walnuts, crumbled  Salt to taste black Pepper 1 cup diced parsley                                                                    Kofte shell: 3 cups of cracked wheat #1 (bulgur) 2 potatoes boiled, peeled, and shredded ½ cup semolina ½ cup bread crumbs 2 tbsp. tomato paste 1 egg Salt and black pepper to taste 3 cups of water   For the filling: 1-Sauté the ground beef with the onion until the meat is light brown and crumbly. Then drain and add the rest of the ingredients, stir and put aside.   2-Place the bulgur in a large bowl and add a little bit of hot water to get it wet, but not soggy. Add all the ingredients, knead them all.  During the kneading, wet your hands once in a while and continue kneading. Do this for 10 minutes and make sure everything's mixed well. (If you have kitchen aid, use it.)   3-Take a walnut sized piece from it, make a ball and place it on y

      Last cooking class we made a  popular dish in Turkey, Manti. It was such a nice class. Everybody was around the table and tried to make it. They did a really good job :) We prepared little heart cookies, table clothes, and napkins because of Valentine's Day :)  Here is the recipe....   http://www.tastingturkishculture.com/2012/07/manti.html

Ingredients: 3 large potatoes boiled, peeled, and shredded  1 large onion, finely chopped bunch of dill and/or parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup of corn or vegetable oil salt, black and red pepper to taste For coating: 2 large eggs, beaten 2 cups of bread crumbs  For Frying: 1/2  of corn or vegetable oil or spray oil Directions : 1-Saute the onion with 1/4 cup oil in a skillet. Then in a big bowl add shredded potatoes, onion, dill/parsley, spices and salt. Knead them by hand.   2-Give a shape similar to the picture. Dip in the egg, then with bread crumbs. 3- Brush or spray oil to non stick pan. Let it heat and place the balls in pan.  4- Fry them until light brown. Serve it warm. Afiyet Olsun.

Ingredients 2 eggs 2 stick butter( room temperature ) 2 cups of powder sugar 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp vanilla 4,5 cup all purpose flour Jam or marmalade - what type  you like Preparation 1- In a bowl, mix all ingredients except flour. Make smooth mixture with ingredients. 2-Then add flour little by little and make a soft dough. 3- Then take one piece (like walnut ) Make a ball. 4- Make a dip in the middle with thumb. Bake them 350 F until it gets bigger approx 10.min.  Then put 1 tsp orange jam or cranberry jam. 5-Bake them 10 more minutes. Serve it cold with tea or coffee. Afiyet Olsun.

This is a quick, and delicious dish for breakfast. Ingredients 1 big onion, finely chopped 4 tomatoes, petite diced 1 fresh green pepper, diced bunch of basil ( optional ) 2-3 whole eggs 3 tbsp oil, ( corn, vegetable or olive ) Salt to taste Black and red pepper to taste Preparation; 1- Saute chopped onions with oil in a skillet. Add green pepper, saute until tender. 2- Add diced tomatoes, cook until gets soft. 3- Sprinkle salt and peppers and basil. Crack the eggs. You can beat the eggs  or you may leave the eggs on top without stirring until cooked. ( Like pictures ) Serve it warm with fresh bread and tea :) Afiyet Olsun!

 Istanbul Cultural Center represented Turkey for the International Festival at FSCJ...

Ingredients 3 medium tomatoes, small diced  2 medium onions, small pieces 1 medium green bell pepper 1 medium red bell pepper 2 gloves garlic 2-3 tbsp olive oil 1 bunch of parsley 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tbsp pepper paste black pepper ( to taste) red pepper ( to taste) salt ( to taste) Fresh mint ( to decorate) Preparation  1-Blend this ingredients respectively. Then take them in a big bowl, mix them.  2-Then serve the mixture in a plate. 3- Decorate with fresh mint Afiyet Olsun.. . 1 cup warm water( 60 sec.in a microwave)

We were on Channel 4 news!!!! I am so thrilled :))) Check this out! Turkish Cooking Classes   video platform video management video solutions video player VIDEO: If you want to change things up in the kitcken, why not learn to make some traditional Turkish cuisine? Tuba Taskan and Meltem Altintas, Istanbul Cultural Center of Jacksonville, talk about free Turkish cooking classes. Hide Transcript Have you been wanting to change things up in the kitchen? Why not try learning to make some traditional Turkish cuisine? A local group here in Jacksonville is offering free classes every month. Joining me now is Tuba Taskan and Meltem Altintas from the Istanbul Cultural Center of Jacksonville. 3 The Istanbul Cultural Center hosts cooking classes on the second Saturday of every month. The next class is February 8th from 11 a-m to 1 p-m. It's held at the center -- which is located on Southside Boulevard. There's a 5 dollar fee per person -- and you need to R-S- V-P. Yo

 Istanbul Cultural Center Jacksonville Women Division is offering Turkish Cooking Class with rich and delicious recipes! The classes will be once a month on Saturdays between  11:00 am to 1:00 pm  at Istanbul Cultural  Center. We look forward to seeing you in the kitchen.  Class will be on  Saturday, February 8th,2014 Class menu will be Manti ( Turkish Dumbling )...

Today in the cooking class.... http://www.tastingturkishculture.com/2011/04/lentilball-mercimek-koftesi-ingredients.html http://www.tastingturkishculture.com/2011/09/semolina-dessert-irmik-helvasi.html

Join us for Authentic Turkish coffee along with great conversation and friends. Coffee Night is a themed gathering of ladies in a nice and warm environment for a diverse social experiment! Refreshments will be served.   Date;  January 18, 2014 6.00-7.00 pm  refreshment 7.00 - 8.00 pm  presentation Please click here for  RSVP    and let us know your participating. Thanks in advance.... Sincerely,  Women's Division of Istanbul Cultural   Center 2032 Southside Blvd Jacksonville, FL, 32216 cooking@atccenter.org