Tasting Turkish Culture

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 1 lb zucchini 1-1/2 cups plain yogurt Garlic to taste ( minced or grated ) ½ cup crushed walnuts 1-2 tbsp olive oil Bunch of dill ( chopped) Salt, mint, red pepper, black pepper  to taste Directions 1-    Wash zucchini and grate without peeling. Then, take olive oil into a skillet and add in grated zucchini. 2-     Saute over medium heat till they get soft ( for about 8-10 minutes ).  Turn the heat off and aside for cooling. 3-   Meanwhile, take yogurt, dill ,garlic , walnuts and salt into a bowl. Mix and add zucchini. Mix them all and transfer to a serving  plate. Sprinkle walnuts and spices to decorate. Serve it cold with meat, chicken or vegetable dish...

INGREDIENTS  2 up yogurt 1 cup water 2 cucumbers (peeled and diced small, or shredded )  1 clove garlic (crushed) 1/4 tbsp salt 1 tbsp olive oil  1 tsp dried mint 1 tsp red pepper 1 tsp black pepper fresh dill (optional) DIRECTIONS 1-Mıx yogurt with spoon in a medium bowl. 2-Add garlic, salt and cucumber, and combine thoroughly. Stir water in it. 3-Add black pepper, red pepper and mint. Last, add the oil. Garnish with fresh dill if desired. Serve Cold. Afiyet olsun!

Ingredients 1 cup of fine bulgur(cracked wheat) 1/2 cup of hot water ½ tbsp tomato paste ½ tbsp pepper paste 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 cloves of garlic, grated 1 mid-size grated onion 1 small bowl chopped lettuce 1 small bowl chopped red cabbage 1 small bowl grated carrot 1/2 cup olive oil 1 medium tomato 1tsp dried mint Juice of 1 lemon Red,yellow,green pepper Half bunch of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped Directions 1-In a large bowl soak bulgur with a cup of hot water and cover with lid. 2-Wait until bulgur absorbs the water and become soft (approximately 15 minutes). 3-Add tomato paste, pepper paste, salt , mint,cumin, black pepper, red pepper, oil, lemon juice, grated onion and garlic and knead them. 4-And then add lettuce, red cabbage, carrot,tomato and parsley and mix well. Serve cold. Also it can be served with tomatoes, cucumbers, scallion, mint leaves or pickles too.

Ingredients 1 cup stuffed green olives, diced 1 cup black olives, diced 1/4 cup pickles, small diced half head iceberg, large diced cherry tomatoes  ( optional ) For Sauce, 3 tbsp olive oil 1/2 lemon juice 1tsp black pepper 1 tsp red pepper 2 gloves garlic, shredded 1tbsp salt 1 bunch of dill Preparation 1- Mix the olives, iceberg, and pickles in a mixture bow. 2- In a different bowl, mix the garlic, salt, peppers, oil, lemon juice, and dill. 3-Pour the mixture into the salad. Then mix it gently. Afiyet Olsun.

Ingredients 3 cup white cabbage, small diced 1 cup carrot, shredded 1/2 cup mayo 1-1/2 cup yogurt 1/2 cup walnut, crushed 1 tbsp salt For Garnish whole corn, dill, or parsley Preparation Mix all the ingredients and garnish. Afiyet Olsun.

Ingredients 4 medium tomatoes 4 kirby cucumbers or 1 large cucumber 2 green belly peppers half bunch of parsley 5-6 green onions 1 small onion 2 tbsp lemon juice 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses ( recommended ) 1 tbsp mint flakes 1/2 cup diced pickles 1 cup of coarse cracked walnut salt to taste Directions 1- Chop the onion and rub it with salt ( on the board or in a bowl.) 2- Cut the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pickles into the small cubes. Put them in a bowl. 3-Chop green onions and parsley and add them to the bowl. 4-Pour olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. Mix all ingredients well. 5-Sprinkle mint flakes and walnut on top ( you may mix these as well if you like .) Afiyet Olsun!

Eggplant Salad ( Patlican Salatasi ) Ingredients; 2 eggplant 2 green or red pepper 2 tomato 3 scallion 1 lemon juice Half bunch of parsley 2 cloves of garlic 2 tsp oil 1 tsp red pepper 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt Directions; 1-Pierce the eggplants surface with a fork several times. 2-Cook them in the microwave for 30 minutes. Cut green pepper, scallion, parsley and tomatoes into small pieces. 3-Grate garlic. With a knife, take the inside of the eggplants and get rid of the skin. Squash the cooked eggplants. Add the rest of the cut ingredients and garlic in the mash. 4- Finally, mix it with spices, oil,salt , and lemon juice. 5- Serve it cold with meat,soup,chicken... Afiyet olsun !

Ingredients; 2 cups of wheat 1 cup of canned chickpea 2 cups of yoghurt 1 tsp dried mint 1 tsp red pepper 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt1 tbsp butter 2 tbsp oil Direction 1-Boil two cups of wheat until they are cooked well. 2-After it cools down, put cooked wheat into a large bowl and add chickpea, yoghurt and salt. 3-Meanwhile in small pan, fry spices for a few minutes in oil and butter. 4-Then add the hot butter sauce on the mixture with yoghurt. Serve with meatball,chicken or meat... Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 2 large onions 1 T. lemon juice 1 t. salt 1 t. sumac 1 t. red pepper 1 T. oil Tomato and lemon for garnish Direction  1-Slice the onions in half moons. 2-Add the spices and oil, and mix thoroughly. 3-Garnish with tomato and lemon. Serve with chicken, fish or beef. Afıyet Olsun!

Ingredients  2cup canned beans 2 scallion 1 green pepper or red pepper 1/2 bunch parsley 1 small size onion 1tsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp red pepper 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt olive Preparation, 1-In a large bowl,mix chopped scallion,spices,cut pepper,onion,salt parsley with beans. 2-Then, add oil and lemon juice. 3-After you mix well,pour the dish in a serving plate. 4-Lastly decorate the top with olives and parsley. Afiyet Olsun.

Baked stuffed potato; 3 baked (or boiled) potatoes 1 cup of canned corn 1 cup of canned sweet pea 1 cup of canned carrot 1 cup of shredded carrot 1 cup of shredded red cabbage 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup sliced black olive 1/4 cup sliced jalapeno 1/4 cup sliced pickle 1 stick butter 2 cup shredded mozzarella 2 tbsp salt Direction 1- Mix sweet pea,carrot and mayonnaise in a bowl. 2-Meanwhile, in another bowl mush potatoes,butter and mozzarella cheese. 3-Pour mushed mixture in a tray and smooth evenly its surface. 4-Respectively, lay the mixture with the mayo, red cabbage,shredded carrot,corn,olives and pickles. 5-Decorate the top with ketchup and with more mayo.

Ingredients 4 medium tomatoes 4 kirby cucumbers or 1 large cucumber 2 green belly peppers half bunch of parsley 5-6 green onions 1 small onion 2 tbsp lemon juice 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses ( recommended ) 1 tbsp mint flakes 1/2 cup diced pickles 1 cup of coarse cracked walnut salt to taste Directions 1- Chop the onion and rub it with salt ( on the board or in a bowl.) 2- Cut the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pickles into the small cubes. Put them in a bowl. 3-Chop green onions and parsley and add them to the bowl. 4-Pour olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. Mix all ingredients well. 5-Sprinkle mint flakes and walnut on top ( you may mix these as well if you like .) Afiyet Olsun!

Ingredients 2 cups lentil (rinsed) 1/2 lb chicken thigh or breast 2 cup orzo 3 medium bell peppers ( orange and red ) 2 scallions, chopped 1 bunch of parsley, chopped 2 tsp red pepper 2 tsp black pepper salt to taste 6 tbsp corn oil 9 cups hot water Directions; 1-In a pot, boil 2 cups of lentil with 5 cups of water. 2- In a different pot, add 3 tsp oil and orzo. Saute until orzo is lightly browned.Then add 4 cups hot water. Wait until all water is absorbed. Let it cool down. 3- Then cut the chicken into small pieces and cook over medium heat. 4-Cut the peppers into small pieces. 5-In a big bowl, add the cooked and cooled lentils, orzo, chicken, vegetables, spices, 3 tbsp oil, and salt. Then mix gently Afiyet Olsun!

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 6 potatoes, skinned and smashed 1/2 bunch dill, chopped 1/2 bunch parsley, chopped 1/3 cup yogurt 1 clove garlic, minced ( optional ) 1 tbsp mayo 2 cup grated carrots salt to taste 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp lemon juice For Garnish, paprika, dried mint Preparation 1- In a bowl, add potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, dill, and parsley. Knead the mixture. 2- Take a piece as large as walnut and make a ball.Open space in the middle and put grated carrots. 3-In a mixing bowl, pour mayo and yogurt and mix well. Then add on top of the nest. 4- Garnish with pepper and/ or mint. Afiyet Olsun..

Ingredients 2 big beets (boiled) 2 cups of diced lettuce 1/2 cup chickpea 1/2 cup whole corn 1/4 cup pickles, small diced 1/2 cup baby carrot, sliced bunch of scallion, diced bunch of parsley, chopped 1 lemon juice 1 tbsp vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil Salt to   taste Preparation 1- Cut the beets into the thin slice.Then add vinegar and wait 10-15 min. 2-Then add other ingredients into the bowl. Mix gently. 3-Garnish with corn. 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 1/2 bunch lettuce 1/2 bunch parsley 2 medium tomatoes 1 can tuna fish, drained 1/2 c. corn 1/2 t. salt 1 T. lemon juice 1 T. olive oil Direction 1-Cut the lettuce, parsley and tomato into very small pieces and toss in a bowl.  2-Stir in drained tuna fish, salt, oil and lemon juice. Mix gently.  3-Pour onto a different plate before serving, and garnish with corn. Afiyet olsun !

Ingredients  4-5 boiled potatoes 2 c. plain yogurt 2 T. olive oil 1/2 T. red pepper 1/2 t. black pepper 1/2 t. dried mint 1 T. salt 1 clove crushed garlic fresh mint( optional) Direction 1-Dice the potatoes into small cubes.  2-Pour yogurt over them. 3- Add other ingredients and mix gently.  Serve with a main dish. Afiyet Olsun!