Turkish Food and Drink - Traditional, Local and Regional

For the vegetarian trekking across the globe, concerns about food go far beyond the everyday omnivore's. In addition to eagerly hoping the food will be a highlight, that it won't break the bank, and that none of it will make one sick, the vegetarian also has to concern herself with the limitations of whether or not a locale, its customs, and its restaurants are familiar enough … [Read more...] about 6 of the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Istanbul

Last week, I came across Expedia's World on a Plate Challenge. It sounded interesting. Every month they feature a different country and bloggers participate by cooking a dish from that country.  For the month of April, the country they are promoting is Turkey, so I decided to feature Turkish Pide. Now I don't normally cook.  There is no need for me to be adventurous in the … [Read more...] about Making Turkish Pide for the World on a Plate Challenge

One of the best feelings in the world is when you eat your favorite food. One of my favorite dishes is Dolma and I have just hurriedly scoffed two for my lunchtime meal. If you find yourself in Turkey and come upon a traditional restaurant, then be sure to nip in and try some dolma. If you translate dolma then it actually means stuffed thing and the Turks like to use Peppers … [Read more...] about Dolma Stuffed Pepper Recipe

When I first came to Turkey, one dish that I wholeheartedly indulged in was Shish kebabs. It was a safe choice. Large chunks of meat, with peppers and onions, were placed on a skewer and grilled. Simple and not too much of a culture shock for my palate that was so used to British food. Later, while driving through the Aegean town of Soke, my friend recommended Çöp Sis … [Read more...] about Çöp Sis Kebabs : Are They Garbage?

One of my favorite Turkish food dishes is Menemen,a sumptious mixture of onions, peppers, tomatoes and eggs. The great thing about Menemen is that it is one of those dishes  that you can adjust to your own taste and add bacon, spices, potatoes etc, much like an English bubble and squeak. Traditionally Menemen is ate at breakfast but it also serves well as an afternoon or … [Read more...] about Traditional Turkish Food – Menemen

Turkey is a huge country covering diverse terrains, with differing climates. Indeed, while snow settles in the mountains of the north-east, bikini-clad swimmers in the south-west gather en masse on the long sandy beaches. The historical timeline of Turkey is also colourful, and at times confusing, but each empire, dynasty, or ethnic group has left its mark, especially regarding … [Read more...] about The Huge Guide of Regional Food in Turkey

Since the lavish banquets of the Ottoman Imperial Court, Turkish cuisine has been ubiquitously enjoyed across the globe. It is vibrant, varied, and will be integral to your experience of the country when you visit. The most prolific of gourmands can find new challenges, while wary initiates can still enjoy chowing down on simple, familiar treats like baklava, feta, and the … [Read more...] about The Best Turkish Food To Try

Turkey has earned itself a solid reputation when it comes to food however many people  assume the country to be a nation of  hard-core, meat-eating fanatics thanks to the international popularity of the donor kebab. People, who find the thought of eating meat revolting, may think that delicious vegetarian food in Turkey is hard to come by but you could not be more wrong.  … [Read more...] about Delicious Vegetarian Food in Turkey

Turks are very resourceful when it comes to food. They waste nothing and everything is used in one form or another. Reading "brain soup" on my local takeaway menu no longer makes me burst into giggles and my favourite dish in Urfa was Dalak, which is lambs spleen. I am also still trying to figure out whether the mother-in-law was joking, when at Ramadan after cutting up the … [Read more...] about Traditional Turkish Food : Aguz : Made From Cows Colostrum

For many, a big part of any holiday is the food you eat, the food you remember and the food you would rather forget.  In Turkey, street food is a way of life and simply cannot be ignored.  Some of your finest meals will be made instantly in front of you so here is a little taste of what to expect Turkish Street Food  Kokorec, spiced offal wrapped in lamb’s intestine is of … [Read more...] about A Guide to Tasty Turkish Street Food

I do not normally focus on food while traveling. I have a love / hate relationship with it and mostly eat more out of necessity rather than desire.  My visit to Gaziantep, Mardin and Urfa changed that though. When comparing the region to the west, I recognized a huge difference in culture, traditions, and even languages spoken daily in the street. I figured that with all these … [Read more...] about Traditional Food in Southeast Turkey

A lot of people are surprised when they first come to Turkey and they discover that it is a wine producing country. There is nothing better after a long day of sightseeing to sit on your balcony and enjoy a glass of Turkish wine, while doing so you can be amazed to learn that Turkey is one of the earliest wine producing areas in the world. I was reliably informed though,  that … [Read more...] about Turkish Wines

If you ask any of my friends, what my favorite drink is they may tell you red-bull or beer! Shock, horror, surprise, it is infact Ayran. This is a Turkish drink that is consumed by millions of Turks every day. Don't be surprised if you are suffering from an upset stomach and a Turkish person offers you Ayran as it is  a great way of calming down a poorly tummy. What do I like … [Read more...] about The Turkish Yogurt Drink of Ayran

Those of you who are handy in the kitchen and love whipping up new dishes for the family to try, will like these Turkish food blogs. Recipes include simple and easy dishes to gourmet food that will impress anyone at a dinner party. I am certainly not talented in the kitchen but often sit down with a cup of coffee for a great read and a subtle introduction to new Turkish … [Read more...] about Turkish Food Blogs to Tempt Your Taste Buds

The Gaziantep Culinary Museum is set in an old house down a cobbled side street.  I entered a small courtyard and looked around at the two storey building. First impressions were not to expect too much yet it was the most comprehensive museum I have ever visited. Perhaps it was so interesting because of my lack of cooking skills and knowledge of Turkish food. Without any … [Read more...] about Gaziantep Culinary Museum : Southeast Cuisine of Turkey

I love caffeine. I adore it. I think it is a wonderful substance and often drink more than six cups of Nescafe in a day. I can also top that off with a can of Redbull and on odd occasions, have to lie down because my over indulgence has bought on a caffeine headache. The last time I tried to detox from my addiction to caffeine, I could not function. Two hours into the day … [Read more...] about Life in the Coffee Houses of Gaziantep

Kebabs are not the only food that is the favorite cuisine of Turkish people. The Turks also love fish. Now I am not talking about your frozen, filleted fish from the local supermarket. We are talking about fresh fish that came out of the sea only a matter of minutes or hours before. More and more Turks are also upping their consumption of fish, thanks to the high prices of red … [Read more...] about All About Eating Fish in Turkey