Recipe: Roasted cherry tomatoes, feta and avocado on Turkish bread
Adding avocado to this open sandwich not only adds a rich creamy flavour, it also increases its nutritional value. Avocados are a rich source of potassium and healthy monounsaturated fats that help to lower cholesterol. Ingredients 250 gram cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 loaf turkish bread (215g), halved (use a loaf of ciabatta bread if Turkish […]
Pomegranates – tangy, delicious and full of health benefits
The Fethiye markets are filled with fruit and vegetables all year round in Türkiye, but the arrival of autumn brings a feeling of anticipation and excitement. The change of fruits in autumn is quite dramatic with apples, pears, plums and oranges coming into season and replacing the last of the summer fruits. The jewel of […]
Pumpkins – from Jack-o-Lanterns to delicious desserts
It’s autumn! Pumpkins are ripe and plentiful … and Halloween is just around the corner. The history of the Jack-o-Lantern People have been making Jack-o-Lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack.” According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink […]
Watermelons – juicy, scrumptious and amazing
Don’t let the seeds stop you from enjoying watermelon… With a name like a watermelon (karpuz in Turkish), one would expect it to be juicy, scrumptious and amazing. The watermelon meets and exceeds that expectation. The presence of so much water makes this melon an impressive addition to the fruit family. The sweet flavour that explodes […]
Best meze dishes for your barbecue
No barbecue is complete without a selection of tempting side dish recipes… Summer is here and with it, barbecue season. If you’re planning a barbecue, why not try something different to complement your grill? Here are some meze recipes that will really zing up your side dishes. Turkish-style slaw Serves 4 Juice of 1-2 lemons10 […]
Recipe: Green beans cooked in olive oil – zeytinyağlı taze fasulye
Try this delicious and healthy recipe from Ozlem’s Turkish table – ideal for those long hot days of summer as it can also be served cold. Green beans cooked this way are a great national favourite. Enjoyed by urban and rural families alike, there are varying theories of how to achieve the best result. Traditionally, […]
Recipe: Lamb Kebabs with Pistachios on Flat Bread, served with Roasted Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes
“Having pistachio nuts in kebabs is a Southern Turkish speciality; I love the rich nutty flavor the pistachios add to the kebabs. The kebabs are wonderful when chargrilled in the barbecue in summer time, but equally delicious grilled in the oven in winter. With flat breads as the base and roasted vegetables by the side, […]
Recipe: Lamb on Skewers (Şiş Kebap)
Next time you’re having a barbecue why not add Şiş Kebap to the menu? Şiş Kebap (Shish Kebab) 6 servings Ingredients 1 kg lean lamb 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion 2 teaspoons salt 3 tomatoes 3 peppers 1 tablespoon oregano Skewers Method Cut the meat into 2-3 cm cubes and set aside. Slice […]
Recipe: Carrots with Yoghurt (Yoğurtlu Havuç)
Summer is the time of year when thoughts turn to long lazy sunny days, barbecues and recipes for delicious side dishes to accompany the ‘main event’ Carrots make a tasty addition to any salad dish – and they’re good for you. This quick and easy meze dish goes well with grilled meats and chicken. It is also […]
Loquat – the fruit that tastes much better than it looks
The first time my neighbours brought me a plate of, what I later discovered were loquat, my initial reaction was that they were well past their sell-by date. Imagine my surprise when I learned they were supposed to look like that and, even better, the soft pulp was juicy and delicious. The loquat The loquat […]