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 l...

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 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)

INGREDIENTS 500 g. grape leaves 1 1/2 c. rice 1 large onion 6 T. olive oil 1 t. sumac 1 T. salt 1 t. black pepper 1 t. red pepper 1 lemon 3 c. water   DIRECTIONS 1-Chop the onion into small pieces, and sauté in a pot with 3 T. oil, until the onions are light pink. 2- Add rice, spices, and salt, and mix well. 3- In one grape leaf, spoon 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture into the center.  4-Secure it by closing the right side, then the left side, and tightly rolling it (like a cigarette). 5- Place a layer of empty grape leaves on the bottom of a large pot, to prevent burning.   6-Then place the stuffed grape leaf carefully. Stuff and roll all the remaining grape leaves in the same way, and place them in layers. 7- Add lemon juice, water, and remaining 3 T. oil.   8-Cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes. If the water boils away, add more hot water to pot.  9-When finished cooking, cover and refrigerate. Serve stuffed grape le...

Ingredients 1 box of labne ( mild cream cheese ) 1/4 cup greek yogurt ( optional ) 3-4 gloves garlic ( minced ) 1/2 cup crushed walnut 1 bunch of dill 1 tsp salt Direction;  In a bowl, mix the all ingredients and keep it refrigerated over night. Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 4-5 big potatoes 1/2 cup water 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp red pepper 1 tsp cummin 1 tsp thyme 1 tbsp salt 1/2 stick butter Direction 1- Wash the potatoes very well. Then cut them into the four pieces. Mix with all spices, salt. 2- Then lay into the pyrex. Cut the butter small pieces and put on the potatoes. Then pour the water. 3- Bake 375 F 20- 25 min. Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 1/2 lb baby spinach ( washed) 1-1/2 cups carrot( sliced) 1 cup feta cheese ( crumbled ) For dressing 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp olive oil salt to taste Preparation 1- In a service bowl, lay the spinach and carrots. 2-Add crumbled feta cheese. 3-Mix all dressing ingredients and pour onto the other mixture. Easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious... Afiyet Olsun.

Ingredients 1 large seedless cucumber 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or Turkish white- cheese 1 tbsp milk 1tsp dried mint 1 tsp dried parsley 1 tsp red pepper Direction  1- In a small bowl, mix feta cheese with milk until it is creamy. 2- Then add spices, and mix well. Slice the cucumber into one-inch circles. Pour the cheesy mixture onto the cucumber. Serve it for side dish or for breakfast. Afiyet Olsun.

Lentilball (Mercimek Koftesi) Ingredients; . 1 cup of red lentil .1-1/2 cups of fine cracked wheat  .2 cups of water .1 medium size onion (blender)  .1/2 bunch parsley (finely chopped) .3-4 scallion  ( finely chopped) .2 tbsp tomato paste .1 tbsp pepper paste .1/4 cup of oil ( vegetable) .1/4 lemon juice .1 tbsp cumin  .1/4 tsp black pepper .1/4 tsp red pepper .1/2 tsp salt Directions; 1-Rinse and boil the lentil over medium heat with 2 cups of water in a large pot. After, lentil gets soft (it is going to be mushy), turn off the heat, add the cracked wheat and stir ( there should not be any water). 2- Cover the lid and wait for 10 minutes to allow wheat to absorb the water. 3-Then add tomato paste, pepper paste, onion,lemon juice,oil, and all the spices. Knead them like a dough.Then add parsley and scallion. Knead couple minutes. 5- Divide the lentil dough into walnut size and give a football shape. If the mixture sticks, wet your...