Binnur's Turkish Cookbook

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2010-05-07T16:56:00.001-04:00

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Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Sujuk

2010-04-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

(Sucuklu Menemen)

7-8 slice of sujuk, the skin removed
2 eggs
1 cubanelle pepper, cut in bite size
1 medium sized tomato, diced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt
Pepper

Place the sujuk slices on the pan. Cook for about 2-3 minutes over low heat, don't dry them! Then turn each slice over quickly with a fork. Put them in a small plate.

Place the olive oil and cubanelle peppers in the same pan. Cook for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat. Then add the tomatoes, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for another 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally over low-medium heat.

Mix the eggs in a bowl, and pour into the pan. Then add the cooked sujuks. Keep stirring periodically until the eggs are done. Make sure you don't overcook, otherwise it will be dry. Serve with bread as a breakfast or lunch.

2 servings.

Brussels Sprout

2010-04-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

(Bruksel Lahanası)

300 gr Brussels sprout, stem side cut off, remove few outer leaves
2 + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
7-8 pearl onion, cut in half
1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
1 tbsp red pepper paste
1 cubanelle pepper, cut in bite size
1 tomato, peeled, diced
10 small size mushrooms, cut in half
1/3 cup water
1 tsp basil
1 pinch sugar
Salt
Pepper

Bring the water with salt to boil in a medium sized cooking pot at medium heat. Then add in the Brussels sprout, stir. Cook for about 2 minutes, drain.

Saute the onion with 2 tbsp olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic. When the smell of garlic comes out, add the rest of the ingredients, stir. Cook for about 15-20 minutes at medium heat. If it necessary you can add a little bit more hot water.

Let it cool down first. Pour the rest of the olive oil. Then, place it in a service plate.

Hoshmerim

2010-04-21T15:44:00.007-04:00

(Hosmerim)

500 gr ricotta cheese
2 egg yolk
1 tbsp flour, all purpose
2 tbsp semolina - I used Turkish semolina
2/3 cup sugar - first add 1/2 cup sugar, if you want more you can go up to a total of 2/3 cup of sugar
1 tbsp Thick Turkish Cream or English Devon Cream or very thick cream or %40 Double Cream-(President's Choice-Loblaws in Toronto)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix the egg yolks with ricotta cheese and place the mixture in a large pan. Cook at low heat until its juice is evaporated for about an hour. Stir occasionally.

Add the flour, semolina, sugar, vanilla extract, cream into the cheese. Cook until the sugar dissolves while stirring occasionally with low-medium heat. Turn the heat off. Cover it with the lid. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. Then, place in separate small bowls. Serve Hoşmerim while still warm.

4 servings.

Stuffed Zucchini with Bulgur

2010-04-16T10:42:00.001-04:00

(Bulgurlu Kabak Dolmasi)

5 small zucchini, washed
150 ml hot water
1 tbsp crushed tomato
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Tomato slices

Filling:
150 gr medium ground beef
2 tbsp Turkish bulgur, large grain,rinsed and drained
2 green onion, chopped
50 ml water
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper
1 tbsp red pepper paste
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt
Pepper

Sauce:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt
1 tsp mint
1-2 tbsp lemon juice

Wash the zucchini and cut off a thin slice of the bottom of each one, so that they can stand up straight. Cut off the tops (as in the picture) and carve out the insides.

Mix all the filling ingredients with a teaspoon and stuff the zucchini. Leave some room at the top. While filling the zucchini, don't push the filling in, instead tap the zucchini vertically on the counter. Then cover the zucchinis with the tomato slices. Place them in a small cooking pot.

Mix the hot water, crushed tomato and olive oil and pour into the pot from the side. Cover the lid and cook for about 20 minutes at medium heat.

To prepare the sauce; heat up the olive oil in a small pan. Add the garlic, mint and lemon juice, stir. Slowly pour the sauce all over the Stuffed Zucchinis. Close the lid. Turn the heat off in 2 minutes.

Place the cooked zucchini on a service plate. Pour some of the sauce from the pot on top of them. Serve it with lemon wedges.

Don't throw away the zucchini tops and insides. Grate or cut them into small pieces and make Zucchini Pate :)

Ricotta Cheese with Green Pepper

2010-04-10T18:18:00.005-04:00

(Biberli Lor)

1 sweet or hot long green pepper or Cubanelle pepper, discard the seeds, sliced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup salted Ricotta Cheese (Making Ricotta Cheese from Yogurt)

Soften the peppers with olive oil for about 2-3 minutes, do not over cook! Turn the heat off, put the ricotta cheese in it, toss.

Serve Peppered Ricotta Cheese as a breakfast with freshly baked Turkish bread, Turkish black olive and tomato slices.

Shakshuka

2010-04-05T16:22:00.003-04:00

(Saksuka)

1 medium size eggplant. peeled, diced
1 large potato, peeled, diced
1 cubanelle pepper, cut in bite size
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves , mashed with salt
3 medium size tomato, peeled, diced

Garnish:
1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Soak the eggplants in a salty water for 20 minutes. Squeeze and dry with the paper towel. Pour 1/2 cup of sunflower oil into the pan, fry potato, green pepper and eggplants. Put them on a paper towel to soak extra oil.

Meantime, suttee the mashed garlic with 1 tbsp olive oil on medium heat until the smell of garlic comes out. Pour the tomatoes in it and cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the fried vegetables in it, cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Place Shakshuka in a service plate. Pour the rest of the olive oil (2 tbsp) and sprinkle fresh parsley all over it. Serve the dish at room temperature or chilled.

*You may also serve this dish with Yogurt Sauce with Garlic by the side.

Iskender Kebab with Meatballs

2010-04-01T02:19:00.002-04:00

(Kofteli Iskender Kebap)

Inegol Kofte made from 500 gr medium ground veal

4 pieces of Asian Nan Pita bread or plain pide
or:
6 slice of Turkish or French bread, cut in bite size cubes

Garnish:
1 cup tomato paste, heated up with a few tbs of water
(or use canned crushed tomatoes)
2 tbsp butter
Turkish yogurt, plain, room temperature

First, fry the meatballs in a Teflon pan without oil. Then, place them over the pita or bread bread pieces. Pour the tomato sauce on top and place a few spoons of yogurt on the side. Lastly, melt the butter in a small pan. When it starts bubbling, pour over the tomato sauce.

Serve Iskender Kebab while still hot with roasted and peeled Cubanelle peppers by the side.

4 servings.

Eggplant with Lamb

2010-03-27T16:48:00.002-04:00

(Etli Palican)

1 medium sized eggplant, peel the eggplant in lengthwise strips. Cut in medium sized. Soak in 2 cups of water with salt for about 20 minutes.
1/2 cup sunflower oil

~300 gr. lamb, cut in bite size
2 tbsp butter
1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 cubanelle pepper, cut in bite size
1 large tomato, peeled, diced
2 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
3/4 cup warm water
Salt
Pepper

Squeeze the eggplants with your hand and dry them with paper towel. Fry the eggplants on both sides until light golden colour. Afterwards, place on a paper towel to soak up any extra oil.

Meanwhile cook the the lamb cubes with their own juice. Add the butter, garlic, green onion, cubanelle pepper, tomato, crushed tomato, salt and pepper, stir.

Put the lid on, cook for about 7-8 minutes at low heat. Add the eggplant and warm water, put the lid on. Cook for about 10 more minutes at low heat. Turn the heat off.

Serve the Eggplant with Lamb a Pilaf and Cacik by the side.

2 servings.

Pilaf with Ground Beef

2010-03-12T11:05:00.001-05:00

(Kiymali Pilav)

150 gr medium ground beef
1 small onion, sliced
2-3 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
1/2 cup rice, rinsed, drained
3/4 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, kernel corn, green beans, sweet beans), frozen
1/2 cup warm water or beef broth
1 tbsp butter
Salt
Pepper

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup Yogurt, room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt

Saute the onion, ground beef, salt and pepper in a medium sized skillet at medium heat until the colour of ground beef turns light brown. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir.
Turn the heat to low and put the lid on. Cook until the rice absorbs all the water.

Place the dish in a service plate and put a couple of spoons of Garlic Yogurt Sauce over the top.

2 servings.

Lohusa Sherbet

2010-03-08T18:52:00.003-05:00

(Lohusa Serbeti)

3 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
5 drops of red food colour

Place all the ingredients in a medium cooking pot. Turn the heat down to medium-low and bring to boil.

Turn off the stove after the sweet smell of cinnamon and cloves was spread into the house. Serve it as hot in the winter, or after cooling in the fridge in the summer.

Childbirth Sherbet is a traditional Turkish sorbet at birth, served hot or cold depending on the season. It is sent to the homes of the relatives and friends and also offered to the guests. It is served with walnuts.

To indicate the sex of the baby, red ribbon is tied to the throat of a pitcher if it is a boy or a red painted fine muslin is tied to the mouth part of the pitcher if it is a girl:)

It is advised that the new mother should drink it as much as possible since it increases lactation and makes it more tasteful.

Meatball-Potato in The Oven

2010-03-06T20:01:00.002-05:00

(Firinda Kofte Patates)

Kofte Ingredients:
~450 gr (1 pound) medium ground beef
1 slice of Turkish bread (French or Italian), soak into the milk,
squeeze out excess milk
1 egg
1 small onion, grated
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Salt
Pepper

Tomato Sauce:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 1/2 cup diced tomato, in can
Salt
Pepper

1/4 cup sunflower oil
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 medium sized yellow potato, peeled, sliced in round shape
2-3 cubanelle pepper, each sliced in 2 or 3
1-2 tomato, sliced in round shape

Kneed all the kofte ingredients. Dust the both sides with flour. Heat up sunflower oil in a pan. Fry both sides 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Put them on paper towel to soak extra oil.

Oil the bake dish with 2 tbsp olive oil. Place potatoes on it. Arrange fried koftes on the potatoes. Place tomato slices and cubanelle peppers on koftes.

In the meantime, prepare tomato sauce; Saute the onion with olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, when the smell comes out add the tomato, salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 more minutes then pour the sauce all over the koftes.

Preheat the oven 375 F (180 C). Cook for about 35-40 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. Serve Kofte in Tomato Sauce with Turkish yogurt and bread.

3-4 servings.

Turkish Lamb-Eggplant Pasta

2010-03-01T16:56:00.002-05:00

(Kıymalı-Patlıcanlı Makarna)

2 servings of mini bow tie pasta

1 medium eggplant
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 + 1 tbsp butter

~200 gr lean ground lamb
1 medium size onion, sliced
1 small tomato, peeled, cut in small cubes
2-3 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt
Pepper

Yogurt Sauce:
1 cup Turkish yogurt, plain, room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with yogurt

Boil the pasta with salty water following the instructions on the package, drain. Melt the butter in a pot. Toss the pasta and salt in it.

Meanwhile peel the eggplant in lengthwise strips. Cut into medium chunks. Soak in 2 cups of water with salt for about 20 minutes.

Place sunflower oil in a medium sized skillet. Squeeze the eggplants with your hand and dry them with paper towel. When the oil heats up, fry the eggplants on both sides until golden brown. Afterwords, place on a paper towel to soak up any extra oil.

Saute the onion with 1 tbsp butter, salt and pepper for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Add the ground lamb and cook over medium-low heat until all the water evaporates while stirring. Add the tomato, crushed tomato, fried eggplants, crushed red pepper and dill, stir. Cook for about 2-3 more minutes, turn the heat off.

Place pasta on a service plate. Pour the cooked ground lamb&eggplant mixture all over it. Mix all the Yogurt Sauce ingredients and pour all over the ground lamb. Sprinkle some parsley over the top and serve immediately.

2 servings.

Haddock Soup

2010-02-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

(Mezgit Corbasi)

50-300 gr. Haddock, cut in bite size
2 cup water
Salt
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp flour, all purpose
1/2 tsp paprika
Black pepper

Sauce:
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt
2 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
Arugula or parsley, chopped

Bring the water with salt to boil in a medium sized cooking pot. Then add in the Haddock pieces and stir. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium-low heat.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with flour, paprika and black pepper. Turn down the heat to low. Take a ladle of soup and blend well with the mixture. Slowly pour this mixture into the pot while stirring. Cook for about 8-10 more minutes at low heat.

Whisk the garlic with vinegar or lemon juice. Add into the soup, stir and turn the heat off. Sprinkle chopped arugula or parsley over the top. Serve while still warm.

2 servings.

Raisin-Walnut Cake

2010-02-18T10:12:00.004-05:00

(Uzumlu-Cevizli Kek)

Raisin-Walnut Cake" border="0" height="240" width="320" />
1 cup sugar
175 gr (1 stick + 4 tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
1 tbsp lemon zest
4 eggs, room temperature
1 + 1/4 cup all purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup wheat starch
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Sultans raisin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch salt
1 cup walnuts, in pieces

Loaf Cake Mold, oiled then sprinkle 1 tbsp flour in it.

Beat the butter with sugar until creamy using a wooden spoon in a large bowl. Add the eggs one by one, orange juice, orange and lemon zest, mix. Mix the flour, wheat starch, baking powder, raisin, cinnamon and salt in an another bowl and add slowly into the egg mixture. Mix the butter with spoon, add the walnuts and mix again. Pour the batter into the mold equally.

Preheat the oven to 350 F (170 C). Place the mold on the middle rack. Bake for about 1 hour until toothpick comes out clean. Wait for 15 minutes, then place the cake on the wire rack to cool it down. Serve classic Turkish Raisin-Walnut Cake with Cherry Jam on top with a Turkish Coffee after dinner parties:)

Spinach with Potato

2010-02-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

(Ispanakli Patates)

1 bunch spinach, washed and drained
7-8 yellow mini potatoes, peeled, cut in half
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, grated
1 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
50 ml extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup yogurt
1 garlic clove, mashed with salt

First cut the spinach in large pieces. Saute the onion and potatoes with olive oil for about 4-5 minutes on low heat in a medium pot. Then add the spinach, tomato, crushed tomato, salt and black pepper. Cover the lid and cook until the potatoes are tender on medium-low heat.

Serve Spinach with Potato with the Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

Turkish Apple Tea

2010-02-07T15:27:00.003-05:00

(Elma Cayi)

2 red apples, do not peel and do not remove the seeds, cut in 4 or 6
1 orange, do not peel, cut in 4 or 6
1 stick cinnamon
2 whole cloves
4 cup water

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer until the fruits are tender. Strain into the bowl pushing gently with the back of the spoon to remove all the liquid. Then pour into the tea glasses.

If you like you may sweeten with honey.

Apple Tea
Apple Tea speeds up metabolism increases the amount of urine. It makes people who have weight problem throw edema. Boil the orange with its skin which contains citric acid. Citric acid is also available in medication for losing weight.
Thanks to the mineral salts found in Apple Tea that act as urine remover and blood cleaner. In addition, it strengthens the body against uric acid and rheumatism. Vitamins and mineral salts gives energy and freshness. The presence of vitamin A keeps the respiratory tract, nerve system, blood vessels and the skin healthy.
Apple Tea strengthens both the heart and stomach.

Turkish Spinach Pide

2010-02-02T16:30:00.003-05:00

(Ispanakli Pide)

Dough Ingredients:
7 gr active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/4 + 3/4 cup warm water or milk
~ 2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tsp olive oil

Topping:
1 bunch spinach, cut off the roots, washed, drained, copped
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1-2 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp red pepper paste, mild

Glaze:
1 tbsp yogurt mixed with 2 tbsp water

Topping Preparation:
Saute the onion with olive oil until it is softened, add garlic. When the smells come out turn the heat off. Add the red pepper paste, spinach and feta cheese, toss. Put it a side.

Dough Preparation:
In a small bowl, mix the yeast, sugar and 1/4 cup warm water. Stir well so the yeast dissolves. Let it rest for 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, sift the flour and salt. Add in the bubbly yeast mixture and 3/4cup warm water and olive oil. Mix and place the dough on the lightly floured counter. Knead well for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth (no more crumbles). Then spread 1 tsp of olive oil inside a clean bowl. Place the dough in it and turn it upside down to spread olive oil all the surface. Then cover it with a clean, damp towel. Put aside for about an hour at room temperature until the dough rises to double its size.

Place the dough on the lightly floured counter. Press all over with your hands to get rid of any air bubbles. Cut the dough in 4 pieces with a knife. Knead and give a ball shape to each, cover with a damp towel, and put aside for about 15 minutes. With your hands to flatten and then use a roller give a long oval shape each one. Dived the topping in two, spread on the each dough. Fold the long sides towards the inside, then twist the ends to give a boat shape.

Place parchment paper on an oven tray, then arrange the doughs on it. Brush some yogurt mixture along the edges.

Preheat the oven to 500 F (250 C). Place the tray on the middle rack and bake for about 15 minutes. Immediately brush butter or olive oil on the edges.

4 Spinach Pide.

Turkish Spinach Pide with Egg

Meanwhile poached one egg for each pide. Boil 3 cups water with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp vinegar in a large pot. After bubbling, turn down the heat to medium-low. Crack the eggs into the water side by side. Cover the lid and let the eggs cook for 3 minutes. Take the eggs out with a perforated spoon. Place the eggs over the top of the each Spinach Pide. Serve with lemon wedges.

Snow Pudding

2010-01-26T09:54:00.005-05:00

(Karyagdi Tatlisi)

3 cups homogenized milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup coco powder
1/2 cup + 1 tbs all purpose flour
1 tbsp unsalted butter

12 round shape chocolate thins cookies

Garnish:
Sweetened flaked coconut

Place all the ingredients (except butter) in a large pot. Stir constantly at medium heat. Add the butter. Cook until it gets enough thickness, stir occasionally. Take it off the stove. Pour into the blender. Blend for about 5 minutes over medium speed. Put 2 cookies at the bottom of each bowl. Pour in the bowls equally.

After letting them cool, place the bowls in the fridge for 12 hours. Sprinkle flaked coconuts all over the tops.

6 bowls Snow Pudding.

Çökertme Kebab

2010-01-20T10:35:00.004-05:00

(Bodrum)

250 beef or veal strips, I cut the strips in 2 or 3

Marinade:
1/2 cup milk
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt

2 medium sized white potatoes, cut in julien
1 cup sunflower oil

2 cubanelle peppers
6-8 cherry tomatoes

Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup yogurt, room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt

First, fill medium sized plastic bowl halfway with water and add 1 tbsp salt in it. Soak the potato slices in it for about 20 minutes. Heat up the liquid oil in a frying pan. Drain the potatoes, but don't rinse them and dry with a paper towel. When the oil heats up, fry the potatoes until golden brown. Afterwards, place on a paper towel to soak up any extra oil.

Marinate the beef strips for about 4 hours or overnight in the fridge in a container with a lid. Bring the beef to room temperature 10 minutes before cooking. Heat up the Teflon pan. Than put the beef strips in it. Cook until the beef is tender. Season the beef with salt and pepper, turn the heat off.

Meanwhile saute the peppers and tomatoes with the butter for about 5-6 minutes in the pan.

Place the fried potatoes on a service plate. Arrange the cooked beef on them. Garnish with peppers and tomatoes. Put the Yogurt Sauce on top and serve while still warm.

2 servings.

Eggplant Jam

2010-01-15T00:29:00.004-05:00

(Patlıcan Reçeli)

6 petite size eggplant ~6 cm long

Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup water
4 cloves
2 tbsp lemon juice

Don't remove the stems and caps of the eggplants. Peeled them very fine. Soak them into the 2 cups of water with salt for about 15 minutes. Gently squeeze the eggplants with your hand. Bring to boil some water in a small sauce pan. Add the eggplants and boil for about 7-8 minutes at medium heat. Drain, let them cool down. Gently squeeze the eggplants with your palm.

Melt the sugar, water and cloves in a small sized pot. Bring to boil then add the eggplants and turn the heat to down. Cook for about 25 minutes at low heat. Put a drop of syrup on a cold plate, if it is not runny and stays, then it's done. Add the lemon juice, stir. Turn the heat off after 2 minutes. Let it cool down.

You may serve Eggplant Jam with Thick Turkish Cream.

Codfish with Swiss Card and Sultana Raisin

2010-01-10T10:53:00.003-05:00

(İsviçre Pazısı ve Üzümlü Morina Filetosu)

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500 gr Codfish fillet, cut in medium size pieces
Bunch of red Swiss chard, washed and cut the stems off*
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium size onion, sliced
1-2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 medium size tomato, peeled, cut in cubes
1 Bay leaf
2 tbsp Sultana raisins, soak into the hot water for 15 minutes, drain
Salt
Pepper
2 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted

Put all the leaves one on the top of the other, roll, then cut in julienne. Fill a large pot half way with water and boil. Add in Swiss chard, stir and drain.

Saute the onion with butter and olive oil for about 3-4 minutes in a large skillet. Add the garlic when the smell of the garlic comes out, place the tomato, Swiss chard, salt and pepper. Arrange the fish pieces and Bay leaf on the top. Sprinkle Sultana raisins and put the lid on. First turn the heat to high, then in a minute turn to very low-medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes. If there is so much juice, turn the heat to higher in order to reduce the amount of water in the pot.

Then turn the heat off, discard the Bay leaf. Gently slide the dish onto the service plate. Sprinkle the lightly toasted pine nuts all over the dish. Serve with the lemon wedges and Ezo Gelin Pilaf on the side.

2 servings.

* Don't throw the stems, make Swiss Card Stems with Yogurt Sauce .

Swiss Card Stems with Yogurt Sauce

2010-01-06T14:27:00.000-05:00

(Yoğurtlu Pazı Sapı)

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Bunch of red Swiss chard stems, washed and cut in 1 cm long
1 medium size onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup Turkish yogurt, room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt

Garnish:
1 tsp mint
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or red pepper

Bring to boil some salted water in the pot, then throw the stems in it. Boil just 10 minutes and drain.

Meanwhile, saute the onion with olive oil for about 3-4 minutes. Add the stems, saute for about 2-3 more minutes.

Place on a service plate. Let it cool down. Whisk the yogurt with mashed garlic and place all over the them. Sprinkle some mint and red pepper over the top.

2 servings.

Spinach-Chicken on Turkish Bread

2010-01-01T19:53:00.003-05:00

(Ispanaklı-Tavuklu Ekmek)

Spinach-Chicken on Turkish Bread" border="0" height="240" width="320" />
Half loaf of Turkish bread or French bread or Artisan bread

Filling:
~300 gr spinach, frozen, chopped, thaw and drain
Cooked chicken pieces or use left over chicken or Turkey meat
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1-2 garlic clove, sliced
3-5 tbsp crushed tomato, in can
1/2 cup feta (white) cheese, crumbled
Salt
Pepper
Crushed pepper

Saute the onion with olive oil for about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, when the smell of garlic comes out add the spinach, crushed tomato, salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 more minutes. Cut in half the bread in length. Spread the cooked spinach mixture all over the cut side. Arrange the chicken pieces and feta cheese on top. Sprinkle the crushed pepper all over them. Put the bread on the oven tray.

Preheat the oven to 450 F (230 C). Place the tray on middle rack. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the edges golden. Serve while still warm with Ayran. If you like slice them up and serve as a finger food at your party:)

2 servings.

Candied Chestnuts in Syrup

2009-12-26T20:52:00.004-05:00

(Kestane Şekeri)

Candied Chestnuts in Syrup" border="0" height="240" width="320" />
500 gr chestnut
1 cup sugar
2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract

When buying chestnuts, choose the fat ones, as they will be more delicious. Soak the chestnuts in water for about 15-20 minutes to get them to soften. Using a small knife, cut the shells horizontally on the top (fat) side. Place the chestnuts in a medium size pot, cover them with the water. Boil them for about 5 minutes. Remove the shells and inner skins using a small knife.

Clean the same pot, put sugar, water and vanilla extract in it. Boil it for about 5 minutes. Add the chestnuts into the syrup, close the lid. Cook for about an hour over just under the medium heat.

Let the chestnuts cool down first in the pot. There should be a little bit syrup left. If the syrup is too much, cook a little bit longer without the lid.

Place them into the glass container with the syrup, put the lid on and keep it in the refrigerator. For servings, place them individually in the candy cups.

New Year Eve's Menu:
-Potato Soup , Chicken with Cherry Sauce and Appetizers.