A
Aegean Oven-Fried Potatoes, 204
Aegean Tuna Steak with Thyme and Oregano, 154
Allspice, about, 28
Anatolia
food and cooking of. See specific recipes and recipe categories
history and geography of, 7, 8
tulips of, 100
Anatolian Nut Mix, 18
Anchovy Vinaigrette, 98
Appetizers. See Meze
Apricots, stuffed (Gün Kurusu), 216
Armenian Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf, 126
Artichokes, peas and carrots salad with hearts of, 104
Arugula and Fennel Tulip Salad with Orange and Radish, 100
Asitane restaurant, 143
Asparagus with Walnuts and Orange Butter, 205
Attila’s Olives with Garlic and Preserved Lemon, 14
B
Baked Hummus with Pine Nuts, 23
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti, 116
Beans and other legumes. See also Chickpeas; Green beans
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Lentil Soup with Bulgur, Mint and Aleppo Pepper, 82
Peas and Carrots Salad with Artichoke Hearts, 104
Russian Potato Salad, 110
Tender Green Lentils with Orzo and Caramelized Onions, 130
Velvety Red Lentil Soup with Lemon, 86
White Bean Salad with Lemon, 109
Béchamel Sauce with Parmesan Cheese, 146
Beef
about: as lamb substitute, 172, 177
Classic Lamb (or Beef) Köfte, 40
Lamb (Beef) Shish Kebabs with Pomegranate and Soy Sauce, 49
Beets
about: availability in Turkey, 27
Jeweled Beet Dip (Pancar Çaçik), 27
Kalkan Ketchup, 46
Mrs. Karaaslan’s Beets, 207
Bekir, Haci, 228
Beverages, 235
about: cocktails with Mata Hari, 111
coffee house history, 236
overview of, 236
raki sofrasi/raki table, 236
tea (çay) in Turkey, 236
Ayran, 247
Bosporus Fizz, 246
Persephone’s Revenge, 244
Rose-Infused Simple Syrup with Fresh Rose Petals, 249
Rosewater-Infused Simple Syrup, 248
Turkish Coffee, 240
Turkish Raki, 242
Turkish Tea, 238
Black Sea, trip to, 213
Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Black Sea Hazelnut Baklava, 217
Bosporus Fizz, 246
Breads and more, 53
about: böreks, 68
favorite snack, 54
grains of the Fertile Crescent and, 114
pide or pita bread, 62
range of options in Turkey, 54
Cheese-Filled Bread Boat (Peinirli), 64
Classic Puffed Pide Bread, 62
Flatbread Dough, 57
Gougères a la Turka, 75
Grilled Flatbread (Yufka), 58
Stuffed Flatbread (Gözleme), 56
Sunday Simits, 70
Sweet Potato Yufka, 67
Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun), 60
Brussels sprouts, in Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Bulgur
about: appeal of, 128
Fertile Crescent and, 114
Bulgur Pilaf with Fresh Herbs, 128
Lentil Soup with Bulgur, Mint and Aleppo Pepper, 82
Burgers, minted lamb, 177
Butter Lettuce Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Pomegranate, 97
Butter Sauce, 121
C
Captanian, Pailadzo, 126
Caramel Milk Pudding Roulade (Kazandibi), 219
Carrots
Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Carrot Hummus with Toasted Fennel Seeds, 24
Carrots with Whipped Feta, Ricotta and Preserved Lemon, 200
Peas and Carrots Salad with Artichoke Hearts, 104
Russian Potato Salad, 110
Cauliflower, in Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Cheese
about: string cheese, 98
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti, 116
Béchamel Sauce with Parmesan Cheese, 146
Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Carrots with Whipped Feta and Preserved Lemon, 200
Cheese-Filled Bread Boat (Peinirli), 64
Feta Cheese Warmed in Olive Oil with Raki, 34
Gougères a la Turka, 75
Grilled Halloumi with Lemon Caper Sauce, 29
Grilled Romaine with Anchovy Vinaigrette and String Cheese, 98
Melon with Feta, Mint and Pomegranate, 106
Mesopotamian Mac and Cheese, 124
Stuffed Flatbread (Gözleme), 56
Chicken
about: in Turkey, 172
Chicken Shish Kebabs, 47
Circassian Chicken (Poached Chicken with Walnut Sauce), 186
Cumin-Scented Roast Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Thyme, 190
Mediterranean Chicken Soup with Lemon and Cumin, 87
Sophisticated Lady’s Thighs (Sofistike Kadinbudu), 185
Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken, 192
Chickpeas
about: anecdote of cook and, 90
seasoning, 90
Baked Hummus with Pine Nuts, 23
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti (variation), 118
Carrot Hummus with Toasted Fennel Seeds, 24
Chickpea Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach, 91
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas and Mint, 127
Savory Spiced Chickpeas, 16
Circassian Chicken (Poached Chicken with Walnut Sauce), 186
Citrus
about: oranges in Turkey, 27
Arugula and Fennel Tulip Salad with Orange and Radish, 100
Citrus Pudding with Almonds, 224
Orange and Red Onion Salad, 105
Orange Butter, 205
Orange Yogurt Kahve Cake, 232
Quick Saltwater and Lemon Pickles, 20
White Bean Salad with Lemon, 109
Classic Lamb Köfte, 40
Classic Puffed Pide Bread, 62
Coffee, Turkish, 240
Cookies, sesame thumbprint with fig jam, 212
Crisp Roasted Olives, 108
Cucumbers
Cucumber Pomegranate Pickles, 15
Shepherd’s Salad, 96
Yogurt Dip with Cucumber and Mint (Çaçik), 22
Cumin-Scented Roast Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Thyme, 190
D
Desserts, 209
about: fruits as, 210
honey in apple orchard anecdote, 230
muhallebi (pudding), 210
rose milk pudding and rose products, 210
special Black Sea baklava, 213
Turkish sweets and traditions, 210
Black Sea Hazelnut Baklava, 217
Caramel Milk Pudding Roulade (Kazandibi), 219
Citrus Pudding with Almonds, 224
Lale Pudding Shop Baked Rice Pudding (Firin Sütlaç), 221
Orange Yogurt Kahve Cake, 232
Rose Milk Pudding, 223
Rosewater Turkish Delight, 226
Sesame Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Jam, 212
Stuffed Apricots (Gün Kurusu), 216
Turkish Delight with Mixed Nuts, 229
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Dill-Stuffed Whole Fish Baked in Salt, 167
Dough, egg pasta, 120
Dough, flatbread, 57. See also Breads and more
E
Eating establishments, in Turkey, 196
Eggplants
about: as fruit/berry, 134
historical perspective, 134
in Turkey, 134
Eggplant Puree (Patlican Salatasi), 26
The Imam Fainted (Imam Bayildi), 147
Marinated Eggplant and Red Pepper Kebabs, 43
Simmered Eggplant with Mushrooms and Walnuts, Ottoman Style, 143
Spice-Route Moussaka, 144
Eggs
Egg Pasta Dough, 120
Eggs Cooked in Sweet Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes (Menemen), 137
Russian Potato Salad, 110
Eveline, 23
F
Family gathering, 41
Fennel
about: flavor of, 20
Arugula and Fennel Tulip Salad with Orange and Radish, 100
Fertile Crescent grains, 114
Feta. See Cheese
Fig jam, sesame thumbprint cookies with, 212
Firin Sütlaç (Lale Pudding Shop Baked Rice Pudding), 221
Fish and seafood, 151
about: baking in salt (barbunya), 167
fishing, selling, and enjoying in Turkey, 152, 169
Golden Horn and, 160
spirited fish conversation (deer chat) about, 168
Turkish restaurants (balikçisi) for, 196
types of fish, 152
wild-caught tuna, 154
Aegean Tuna Steak with Thyme and Oregano, 154
Anchovy Vinaigrette, 98
Dill-Stuffed Whole Fish Baked in Salt, 167
Grilled Trout, Mountain Style, 155
Marinated Shrimp with Orange Zest and Nigella Seeds, 162
Rasim’s Crispy Kalamar with Tarator Sauce, 165
Sea Bass Baked in Parchment, 158
Shrimp in Tomato and Feta Sauce (Garides Me Feta), 161
Swordfish with Lemon, Fennel and Raki, 156
Fizz, Bosporus, 246
Flatbread. See Breads and more
Fondue, Black Sea, with roasted winter vegetables, 140
Fruit. See also Citrus
about: as dessert, 210
honey in apple orchard anecdote, 230
Sesame Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Jam, 212
Stuffed Apricots (Gün Kurusu), 216
G
Garides Me Feta (Shrimp in Tomato and Feta Sauce), 161
Golden Horn, 111, 152, 160, 193
Gougères a la Turka, 75
Gözleme (Stuffed Flatbread), 56
Grains, of Fertile Crescent, 114
Grape leaves, preparing fresh, 31
Grape leaves, stuffed, 30
Green beans
String Beans with Toasted Hazelnuts, 206
Traditional Turkish Green Beans, 198
Grilled Flatbread (Yufka), 58
Grilled Halloumi with Lemon Caper Sauce, 29
Grilled Romaine with Anchovy Vinaigrette and String Cheese, 98
Grilled Trout, Mountain Style, 155
Gün Kurusu (Stuffed Apricots), 216
H
Hasankeyf, 172
Hülya, 176
Hummus, baked with pine nuts, 23
Hummus, carrot with toasted fennel seeds, 24
Humyera and Rasim, 121
I
The Imam Fainted (Imam Bayildi), 147
J
Jeweled Beet Dip (Pancar Çaçik), 27
K
Kalkan Ketchup, 46
Kazandibi (Caramel Milk Pudding Roulade), 219
Köfte and kebabs, 37
about: family gathering for, 41
in Turkey, 38
Turkish restaurants (kebapcesi) for, 196
Chicken Shish Kebabs, 47
Chickpea Patties, 44
Classic Lamb Köfte, 40
Kalkan Ketchup for, 46
Lamb Shish Kebabs with Pomegranate and Soy Sauce, 49
Marinated Eggplant and Red Pepper Kebabs, 43
Turkey Sage Köfte, 42
Konyar, Humyera and Rasim, 121
Kuymak (Black Sea Fondue) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
L
Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza), 60
Lale Pudding Shop Baked Rice Pudding (Firin Sütlaç), 221
Lamb
about: Hülya’s feast with, 176
in Turkey, 172
Classic Lamb Köfte, 40
Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Sauce, 175
Lamb Kleftico (Cypriot-Style Lamb Shanks), 180
Lamb Shish Kebabs with Pomegranate and Soy Sauce, 49
Mediterranean Lamb Chops with Pekmez, 174
Minted Lamb Burgers, 177
Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic and Lemon, 183
Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun), 60
Weeknight Lamb Manti, 121
Leeks, melted in creamy tomato sauce, 136
Lemon. See Citrus
Lentils
about: historical perspective, 130
Lentil Soup with Bulgur, Mint and Aleppo Pepper, 82
Tender Green Lentils with Orzo and Caramelized Onions, 130
Velvety Red Lentil Soup with Lemon, 86
Light, in Ortahisar, 119
M
Manti, makarna, and pilafs, 113
about: Fertile Crescent grains, 114
freezing manti, 119
Armenian Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf, 126
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti, 116
Bulgur Pilaf with Fresh Herbs, 128
Egg Pasta Dough, 120
Mesopotamian Mac and Cheese, 124
Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas and Mint, 127
Tender Green Lentils with Orzo and Caramelized Onions, 130
Weeknight Lamb Manti, 121
Marinated Eggplant and Red Pepper Kebabs, 43
Marinated Shrimp with Orange Zest and Nigella Seeds, 162
Mata Hari, 111
Mediterranean Chicken Soup with Lemon and Cumin, 87
Mediterranean Lamb Chops with Pekmez, 174
Melon with Feta, Mint and Pomegranate, 106
Melted Leeks in Creamy Tomato Sauce, 136
Menemen (Eggs Cooked in Sweet Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes), 137
Mesopotamian Mac and Cheese, 124
Meze, 11
definition of, 6
overview of recipes, 12
Anatolian Nut Mix, 18
Attila’s Olives with Garlic and Preserved Lemon, 14
Baked Hummus with Pine Nuts, 23
Carrot Hummus with Toasted Fennel Seeds, 24
Cucumber Pomegranate Pickles, 15
Eggplant Puree (Patlican Salatasi), 26
Feta Cheese Warmed in Olive Oil with Raki, 34
Grilled Halloumi with Lemon Caper Sauce, 29
Jeweled Beet Dip (Pancar Çaçik), 27
Quick Saltwater and Lemon Pickles, 20
Sautéed Mushrooms with Allspice and Black Pepper, 28
Savory Spiced Chickpeas, 16
Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma), 30
Yogurt Dip with Cucumber and Mint (Çaçik), 22
Mint
about: dried, 18
Melon with Feta, Mint and Pomegranate, 106
Minted Lamb Burgers, 177
Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas and Mint, 127
Yogurt Dip with Cucumber and Mint (Çaçik), 22
Moussaka, 144
Mrs. Karaaslan’s Beets, 207
Mushrooms
Sautéed Mushrooms with Allspice and Black Pepper, 28
Simmered Eggplant with Mushrooms and Walnuts, Ottoman Style, 143
N
Nuts and seeds
about: toasting hazelnuts, 206
Anatolian Nut Mix, 18
Asparagus with Walnuts and Orange Butter, 205
Baked Hummus with Pine Nuts, 23
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti, 116
Black Sea Hazelnut Baklava, 217
Carrot Hummus with Toasted Fennel Seeds, 24
Citrus Pudding with Almonds, 224
Rose Milk Pudding, 210
Sesame Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Jam, 212
Simmered Eggplant with Mushrooms and Walnuts, Ottoman Style, 143
String Beans with Toasted Hazelnuts, 206
Sunday Simits, 70
Tarator Sauce, 165
Tomato and Walnut Salad with Pomegranate Molasses, 102
Turkish Delight with Mixed Nuts, 229
Walnut Sauce, 186
O
Olives
Attila’s Olives with Garlic and Preserved Lemon, 14
Crisp Roasted Olives, 108
Onions and leeks
about: history and uses of leeks, 134
Melted Leeks in Creamy Tomato Sauce, 136
Orange and Red Onion Salad, 105
Tender Green Lentils with Orzo and Caramelized Onions, 130
Orange. See Citrus
Ortahisar, light in, 119
P
Pancar Çaçik (Jeweled Beet Dip), 27
Pasta. See Manti, makarna, and pilafs
Patlican Salatasi (Eggplant Puree), 26
Patties, chickpea, 44
Peas, in Russian Potato Salad, 110
Peas and Carrots Salad with Artichoke Hearts, 104
Peinirli (Cheese-Filled Bread Boat), 64
Peppers
Eggs Cooked in Sweet Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes (Menemen), 137
Marinated Eggplant and Red Pepper Kebabs, 43
Pera Palace Hotel, 111
Persephone’s Revenge, 244
Pickles
Cucumber Pomegranate Pickles, 15
Mrs. Karaaslan’s Beets, 207
Quick Saltwater and Lemon Pickles, 20
Pizza. See Breads and more
Pomegranates
about: use in Turkey, 97
Butter Lettuce Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Pomegranate, 97
Cucumber Pomegranate Pickles, 15
Lamb Shish Kebabs with Pomegranate and Soy Sauce, 49
Melon with Feta, Mint and Pomegranate, 106
Persephone’s Revenge, 244
Pomegranate Molasses, 102
Pomegranate Sauce, 175
Potatoes
Aegean Oven-Fried Potatoes, 204
Roasted Potatoes with Bay Leaves, 202
Russian Potato Salad, 110
Proverbs. See Turkish proverbs
Pudding. See Desserts
Puffed pide bread, 62
Q
Quick Saltwater and Lemon Pickles, 20
R
Rahat lokum. See Turkish delight
Raki. See Beverages
Rasim and Humyera, 121
Rasim’s Crispy Kalamar with Tarator Sauce, 165
Rejans restaurant, 110, 111, 193
Restaurants and eateries, Turkish, 196
Rice
about: Rice-a-Roni’s Turkish origins, 126
Armenian Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf, 126
Bulgur (Rice) Pilaf with Fresh Herbs, 128
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Lale Pudding Shop Baked Rice Pudding (Firin Sütlaç), 221
Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas and Mint, 127
Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma), 30
Roasted Potatoes with Bay Leaves, 202
Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic and Lemon, 183
Rose
about: history and uses of roses, 210
products from Turkey, 210
rose milk pudding, 210
Rose-Infused Simple Syrup with Fresh Rose Petals, 249
Rose Milk Pudding, 223
Rosewater-Infused Simple Syrup, 248
Rosewater Turkish Delight, 226
Russian Potato Salad, 110
S
Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas and Mint, 127
Sakir. See Karaaslan, Sakir
Salads, 93
about: overview of recipes, 94
romaine lettuce history, 98
in Turkey, 94
Arugula and Fennel Tulip Salad with Orange and Radish, 100
Butter Lettuce Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Pomegranate, 97
Crisp Roasted Olives, 108
Grilled Romaine with Anchovy Vinaigrette and String Cheese, 98
Melon with Feta, Mint and Pomegranate, 106
Orange and Red Onion Salad, 105
Peas and Carrots Salad with Artichoke Hearts, 104
Russian Potato Salad, 110
Shepherd’s Salad, 96
Tomato and Walnut Salad with Pomegranate Molasses, 102
White Bean Salad with Lemon, 109
Sarma. See Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma)
Sauces and dressings
Anchovy Vinaigrette, 98
Béchamel Sauce, 146
Butter Sauce, 121
Orange Butter, 205
Pomegranate Molasses, 102
Pomegranate Sauce, 175
Russian Potato Salad Dressing, 110
Tarator Sauce, 165
Walnut Sauce, 186
Yogurt Dressing, 97
Yogurt Sauce, 121
Yogurt Topping, 116
Sautéed Mushrooms with Allspice and Black Pepper, 28
Sautéed Spinach with Yogurt and Paprika Oil, 201
Sea Bass Baked in Parchment, 158
Seafood. See Fish and seafood
Sesame Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Jam, 212
Shepherd’s Salad, 96
Shish kebabs. See Köfte and kebabs
Shrimp. See Fish and seafood
Side dishes. See Vegetables and side dishes
Simits, Sunday, 70
Simmered Eggplant with Mushrooms and Walnuts, Ottoman Style, 143
Simple syrup, rose-infused with fresh rose petals, 249
Simple syrup, rosewater–infused, 248
Small plates. See Meze
Sophisticated Lady’s Thighs (Sofistike Kadinbudu), 185
Soups, 79
about: recipe traditions, 80
solace of, 85
in Turkey, 80
warmth and appeal of, 80
Chickpea Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach, 91
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Lentil Soup with Bulgur, Mint and Aleppo Pepper, 82
Mediterranean Chicken Soup with Lemon and Cumin, 87
Velvety Red Lentil Soup with Lemon, 86
Spice-Route Moussaka, 144
Spinach
Baked Spinach, Goat Cheese and Walnut Manti, 116
Chickpea Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach, 91
Sautéed Spinach with Yogurt and Paprika Oil, 201
Squid, crispy with tarator sauce, 165
Stock, Joy E., 179
String Beans with Toasted Hazelnuts, 206
Stuffed Apricots (Gün Kurusu), 216
Stuffed Flatbread (Gözleme), 56
Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma), 30
Sultanahmet Köftecisi, 86, 109
Sunday Simits, 70
Sweet Potato Yufka, 67
Swordfish with Lemon, Fennel and Raki, 156
Syrup, simple, rose-infused with fresh rose petals, 249
Syrup, simple, rosewater-infused, 248
T
Tarator Sauce, 165
Tea, Turkish, 238
Tender Green Lentils with Orzo and Caramelized Onions, 130
Tomatoes
Chickpea Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach, 91
Shepherd’s Salad, 96
Tomato and Walnut Salad with Pomegranate Molasses, 102
Traditional Turkish Green Beans, 198
Tree of life
abundance of foods, Turkey and, 6
events leading to this book and, 6
symbolic significance, 6
Tugra Restaurant, 223
Tulips, fennel tulip salad and, 100
Tuna steak with thyme and oregano, 154
Turkey Sage Köfte, 42
Turkish Coffee, 240
Turkish delight
Rosewater Turkish Delight, 226
Turkish Delight with Mixed Nuts, 229
Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun), 60
Turkish proverbs, 7, 37, 53, 77, 93, 113, 114, 133, 151, 171, 195, 209, 235
Turkish Raki, 242
Turkish Tea, 238
V
Vegetables and side dishes, 195. See also specific vegetables
about: Turkish restaurants/eateries and, 196
Aegean Oven-Fried Potatoes, 204
Asparagus with Walnuts and Orange Butter, 205
Carrots with Whipped Feta and Preserved Lemon, 200
Mrs. Karaaslan’s Beets, 207
Roasted Potatoes with Bay Leaves, 202
Sautéed Spinach with Yogurt and Paprika Oil, 201
String Beans with Toasted Hazelnuts, 206
Traditional Turkish Green Beans, 198
Vegetarian stews and casseroles, 133
about: overview of recipes, 134
Béchamel Sauce with Parmesan Cheese, 146
Black Sea Fondue (Kuymak) with Roasted Winter Vegetables, 140
Eggs Cooked in Sweet Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes (Menemen), 137
The Imam Fainted (Imam Bayildi), 147
Melted Leeks in Creamy Tomato Sauce, 136
Simmered Eggplant with Mushrooms and Walnuts, Ottoman Style, 143
Spice-Route Moussaka, 144
Velvety Red Lentil Soup with Lemon, 86
W
Walnuts. See Nuts and seeds
Weeknight Lamb Manti, 121
White Bean Salad with Lemon, 109
Y
Yogurt
Ayran, 247
Dilled Yogurt Soup with Chickpeas and Rice, 88
Orange Yogurt Kahve Cake, 232
Sautéed Spinach with Yogurt and Paprika Oil, 201
Yogurt Dip with Cucumber and Mint (Çaçik), 22
Yogurt Dressing, 97
Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken, 192
Yogurt Sauce, 121
Yogurt Topping, 116
Yufka (Grilled Flatbread), 58
Z
Zoutendijk, Eveline, 23