Turkish Cuisine: 20 Delicious Turkish Recipes
Source: Sveta_zarzamora, AdobeStockTurkish cuisine has blended the best traditions of Caucasian, Balkan, Islamic, and European regions. Historically, most dishes were cooked over an open fire, but now there are many adapted recipes. And we've gathered 20 of the most delicious ones!
1. Lentil Soup with Mint
Source: kartinkin.netNo traditional Turkish meal is complete without this soup, also known as Mercimek Çorbası.
You will need: 150g red lentils, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 15g butter, 30ml vegetable oil, 30g flour, 50ml 33% cream, half a bunch of mint, 1/2 lemon, spices.
Preparation: Pour one liter of water or broth over the lentils and bring to a boil. Finely chop the onion, grate the carrot, and sauté them until soft in a mixture of butter and vegetable oil. Add the flour, stir, and fry for another 2 minutes. Add the sautéed vegetables to the lentils. Add spices and cream, then blend everything with an immersion blender. Serve the soup with mint leaves and lemon slices.
2. Köfte
Source: resortturkey.ruClassic Turkish meatballs with spices, coated in breadcrumbs.
You will need: 200g beef, 1 onion, 1 egg, 3 tbsp breadcrumbs, 1 tsp cumin, spices.
Preparation: Mince the beef with the onion, add the egg, breadcrumbs, and all spices, then mix thoroughly. Refrigerate the mixture for an hour, then form small oval patties and deep-fry until golden brown.
3. Spiced Baklava
Source: pl.pinterest.comMaking this beloved Turkish sweet is easier than it seems.
You will need: 400g puff pastry, 300g walnuts, 300g sugar, 200g honey, 100g butter, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp cardamom, 1 tsp cinnamon.
Preparation: Grind the walnuts in a coffee grinder and mix with sugar and ground spices. Roll out the pastry into sheets the size of your baking dish. Lay one sheet, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with walnuts and sugar – repeat until all layers are used. Brush the top layer with beaten egg yolk.
Cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Mix 1/4 cup warm water with honey and pour this syrup over the hot baklava. Let it cool and soak.
4. Muhammara
Source: littlechefbigappetite.comA vegetable spread made from bell peppers and walnuts – simply irresistible!
You will need: 4 bell peppers, 1 onion, 100g roasted walnuts, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 tbsp breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 0.5 tsp cumin, 2 chili peppers, spices.
Preparation: Roast the bell peppers in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius until charred, then peel off the skin and remove the seeds. Roughly chop the onion and sauté it with garlic until translucent. Put all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth.
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5. Turkish Baked Eggplant
Source: pinterest.comIt's best to char these eggplants over an open flame, but an oven will also work.
You will need: 4 eggplants, 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 5 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 bunch cilantro, spices.
Preparation: Bake the eggplants in foil until soft, peel off the skin, and finely chop. Finely chop the remaining vegetables in the same way, mince the cilantro, and mix everything together. Add crushed garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and spices, then mix again.
6. Kısır
Source: turkishfoods.netA traditional Turkish salad with bulgur, herbs, and spices. Similar to the more well-known tabbouleh.
You will need: 200g bulgur, 200g cucumbers, 3 bell peppers, 2 shallots, 1 chili pepper, 100ml olive oil, 0.5 tbsp tomato paste, 30g parsley, 30g green onions, 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp each of dried mint, cumin, chili flakes, and other spices, 2 tbsp nar ekşisi (pomegranate sour sauce), salt, sugar.
Preparation: Blend one bell pepper, chili, a spoon of water, a spoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and sugar. Simmer this paste over low heat for about 20 minutes until thickened, then strain through a sieve.
Cook the bulgur and mix with tomato paste, pepper paste, olive oil, nar ekşisi, lemon juice, and all spices. Add very finely chopped cucumbers, the remaining sweet pepper, onions, and herbs. Mix the salad.
7. Revani
Source: zira.uzAn extraordinary sweet semolina cake with lemon syrup.
You will need: 250g semolina, 50g flour, 250g sugar, 60g butter, 100g blanched almonds, 9 eggs, 1 lemon, 1 pinch salt, 3 cups water, an additional 4 cups sugar.
Preparation: Chop the almonds, zest the lemon, and squeeze its juice. Separate the egg yolks and beat them with 250g sugar. Add the lemon zest and beat for about 7 minutes until thickened. Add the semolina, flour, and chopped almonds, then mix.
Separately, beat the egg whites until foamy and fold into the batter. Pour in the melted butter. Spread the batter onto parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake for half an hour at 180 degrees Celsius. Mix the lemon juice, water, and 4 cups of sugar, simmer the syrup for about 10 minutes, and pour it over the sliced cake.
8. Turkish Ayran
Source: zen.yandex.ruA classic refreshing drink for the height of summer heat.
You will need: 750ml yogurt, 150ml sparkling mineral water, 3 sprigs each of dill and parsley, salt.
Preparation: Blend the yogurt with mineral water and salt until smooth. Add finely chopped herbs and mix the ayran.
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9. Fruit Sorbet
Source: pinterest.ruLight fruit ice cream with no milk, cream, or eggs.
You will need: 2 bananas, 1/2 apple, 1/2 orange, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp syrup or honey.
Preparation: Peel and slice all fruits, then place them in airtight bags in the freezer. Once frozen, put them in a blender, add zest, lemon juice, and syrup, and blend thoroughly.
10. Lahmacun
Source: turkfastfood.comThis is something similar to an open-faced pizza on puff pastry.
You will need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 400g meat, 2 tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 100g feta cheese, 1 clove garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, half a bunch of parsley.
Preparation: Mince any meat of your choice. Finely chop the onion, garlic, tomatoes, and bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for a couple of minutes, add the minced meat, and simmer until cooked through.
Add tomato paste, spices, and chopped parsley, then mix. Roll out the puff pastry, form boat shapes, and fill them with the mixture. Sprinkle with feta cheese and bake in the oven until golden brown at 200 degrees Celsius.
11. Pilav
Source: tarifinisevdim.comOr rice with vermicelli. A very unusual Turkish side dish!
You will need: 1 cup rice, 1/2 cup fine vermicelli, 1.5 cups water, 30g butter, salt.
Preparation: Rinse the rice thoroughly, cover with warm water, let sit for 20 minutes, then drain. Sauté the fine vermicelli in butter until brownish. Add the rice and fry for another couple of minutes. Add salt, pour in water, and cook everything for 20 minutes covered over low heat.
12. Bulgur and Tomato Salad
Source: doctorbormental.ruBulgur salads are among the most popular in Turkish cuisine.
You will need: 150g bulgur, 3 tomatoes, 1 bunch cilantro, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Cook the bulgur and let it cool. Mince the cilantro, cut the tomatoes into small slices, mix everything, season, and drizzle with lemon juice.
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13. Tava Kebab
Source: tasteatlas.comJuicy meat patties baked in the oven, served directly with vegetables, so you don't have to prepare a separate side dish.
You will need: 300g minced meat, 2 eggplants, 2 bell peppers, 2 tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 150ml water, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, spices.
Preparation: Mix the minced meat, vegetable oil, chopped onion, and all spices, let sit for 10 minutes, and form small patties. Roughly chop all vegetables and arrange them with the patties in a baking dish. Pour in water and season again. Cook the tava kebab in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 1 hour.
14. Turkish Chicken Shawarma
Source: irinachekurina.ruHow could we possibly omit this recipe from such a collection?
You will need: 100g lavash bread, 250g chicken fillet, 1 cucumber, 1 tomato, 150g cabbage, 50g yogurt, 50g tomato sauce, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop the chicken and fry it with spices until golden brown. Mince all vegetables. Mix yogurt with tomato sauce and spices, spread on the lavash, add the filling, and roll up the shawarma. Fry it on a dry pan on both sides.
15. Couscous with Chicken and Vegetables
Source: mobillegends.netA versatile main dish for the whole family and a great alternative to the usual buckwheat and rice.
You will need: 200g couscous, 2 lemons, 1 lime, 150g cherry tomatoes, 200g chicken fillet, 4 regular tomatoes, 1 purple onion, 1 bunch parsley, half a bunch of mint, 6 tbsp olive oil.
Preparation: Cook the chicken and finely chop it. Roughly chop the onion, cherry, and regular tomatoes, mince the parsley with mint. Prepare the couscous according to package instructions and dress with olive oil and lemon and lime juice. Mix all ingredients.
16. Couscous with Minced Meat
Source: pinterest.ruA delicious Turkish main dish that's also easy to prepare in a pan.
You will need: 300g minced meat, 220g couscous, 300g bell pepper, 150g onion, 45g tomato paste, spices, herbs.
Preparation: Sauté the finely chopped onion until golden. Add the minced bell pepper and fry for another 2 minutes. Then add the minced meat and continue frying for another 7 minutes. Pour in 100ml boiling water, add spices and tomato paste, and cook for another 3 minutes. Finally, add the couscous, another 500ml boiling water, and simmer everything covered until the couscous is cooked. At the end, add chopped herbs.
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17. Lülə Kebab in the Oven
Source: zen.yandex.ruWe recommend cooking it on long skewers, pre-soaked in water to prevent them from burning.
You will need: 500g minced meat, 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, 20g parsley, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 50ml dry red wine, 50ml water, spices.
Preparation: Mince the onion, garlic, and parsley, mix with the minced meat, add spices and soy sauce, and knead well. Then leave the minced meat in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes. Form elongated patties around the skewers and place them on the edges of a baking dish. Pour water and wine into the dish itself. Cook the lülə kebab in the oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Flip and cook for another 15 minutes.
18. Menemen
Source: onedio.comEven scrambled eggs are prepared in their own way in Turkey – with tomatoes and chili!
You will need: 4 eggs, 300g tomatoes, 1 onion, 2 chili peppers, 2 cloves garlic, 0.5 tsp oregano, spices.
Preparation: Peel the tomatoes and finely chop them with the onion, garlic, and chili. Sauté everything together for a couple of minutes, add spices, and simmer for another 7 minutes over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan, stir lightly, and cook for another 3 minutes.
19. Turkish Gözleme Flatbreads
Source: 7ya.ruThey resemble chebureki but are not as greasy.
You will need: 200g flour, 100ml water, 50ml vegetable oil, 1 tsp dry yeast, 25g butter, 1 pinch salt, 300g minced meat, 1/2 onion, half a bunch of herbs, spices.
Preparation: Mix the minced meat, chopped herbs, spices, and chopped onion. Sauté everything until cooked. Separately, mix yeast, warm water, and a pinch of salt. Add vegetable oil and flour, and knead the dough. Let it rest for half an hour.
Divide the dough into 4 parts, roll thinly, and brush with melted butter. Spread a thin layer of filling, fold into envelopes, tucking in all edges, and fry the flatbread on a lightly oiled pan on both sides.
20. Lentils with Mushrooms
Source: prytime.ruAn ideal side dish and a complete meal for vegetarians.
You will need: 1 cup lentils, 300g mushrooms, 2 onions, 1 carrot, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bunch parsley, spices.
Preparation: Cook the lentils according to package instructions. Sauté the finely chopped onion with garlic until translucent, add the grated carrot and fry for another 3 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms, fry until cooked, and mix everything with the lentils, chopped parsley, and spices.
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