Side Dish

Bulgur When I lived in Turkey before, your main course was always accompanied by white rice with pine nuts (pilav – pronounced “pilau”). Nowadays, due to increased prices, white rice is often not available. What the Turks have done instead is substitute it with bulgur pilav, which is not rice at all, but cracked wheat. It is prepared with a tomato sauce and has become one of my favorite parts of the meal. Unfortunately, as in many Asian countries, the bulgur is not always served warm. It’s still tasty cold, but no where’s near so as when served straight off the range. It is extremely healthy, and even more so without any meat in it.  We went to a friend’s …

Turkish Food – Bulgur – A Tasty Side Dish! Read More »

You cannot travel around Turkey without trying pilav. It comes with almost every meal; some might say it’s essential Turkish food. Pilav or rice is a traditional Turkish side dish. Unfortunately, in the restaurants, it has largely been replaced by bulgur or bread, since rice is so much more expensive. The Turks take great pride in their rice. I have to agree, it’s buttery and often contains small pasta, like orzo and sometime pine nuts. Here is a recipe for Turkish Pilav: Soak 1 cup of rice in enough salted water to cover it for 30 minutes prior to cooking. Take a skillet and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the rinsed rice and stir in hot pan until glossy …

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A delicious Turkish dish that can easily be converted to vegetarian, fasulye is a staple in Turkish households.  Follow this recipe with any white bean, White Northern beans might be the closest to Turkish beans in the States.   Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons oil (sunflower, if possible) 1 Tablespoon butter 1 small onion – diced 4 medium cloves garlic – diced 1/2 can crushed tomatoes 1 small can tomato paste 2 Tablespoons of red pepper paste beans, already moistened or use canned as well 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon paprika Optional:  Sausage*, skinned and sliced (one or two links) Directions: In large pot, heat oil and butter.  Saute onions and garlic, until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes, …

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Patlican Biber Kizartmasi or Fried Eggplant and Peppers with Yogurt and Tomato Sauce On a lazy afternoon, thinking about food, of course. This picture and the memory of the taste comes unbidden to mind.  Luckily, I got this recipe from my good friend, Fusun. I discovered this dish at one of my favorite restaurants in Ankara. I just love it! 4 Asian eggplants, the long skinny ones salt 2 spicy green peppers, like a 2 jalapeno peppers 1 large can of crushed tomatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar salt and pepper to taste 4-5 cloves crushed garlic Sunflower Oil Plain yogurt Eggplant: 1. “Stripe” peel the eggplant and slice 2. Salt in a collander and …

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Pictured here is one of the foods most Turks eat on a daily basis. They eat simit for breakfast or lunch, and maybe even a snack during the day.