WARNING!THIS ARTICLE MAY CAUSE YOU HUNGRY VERY MUCH! :D

Hello Everyone!

During your stay in Istanbul, do not miss out on the richness of Turkish cuisine! Turkish cuisine is one of the most varied in the world. It is considered as the third richest cuisine after the French and the Chinese gastronomy.

However, in the West, this cuisine is not recognized enough, as it is often limited to the Döner Kebab!

Turkey is a crossroads between Europe, Asia, and the Orient. This unique location combined with the migration of Turks from Central Asia to Europe has shaped the identity of its gastronomy over the centuries. Because of six centuries of Ottoman regional domination and the reciprocal influence between Turkey and its neighboring countries (Greece, Bulgaria, The Balkans, Irak, Syria Iran, Armenia…) is the reason why we find so many common dishes in those cuisines such as dolma, börek, kebab, mantı (Turkish ravioli), and so on.

The great diversity of fauna and flora in Turkey also contributed to a great variety of regional cuisines.

·         The Western and Turkish Aegean cuisine is based on the remnants of the Ottoman court and the Greek cuisine with a preference for rice over the bulgur. Fewer spices are used compared to other regional Turkish cuisines, and seafood is abundant and enjoyed in any season.

The main dishes of this region are dolmas, mezes, and seafood

.  The cuisine of the Black Sea is heavily based on sea products and finds its influence in the Balkans and Slavic cuisines.

The main dishes of this region are pides (Turkish pizza), fish, dry beans (kuru fasülye), and cheese.

·         Anatolian and South East of Turkey’s Cuisine is known for its kebabs (grilled meat in Turkish), its mezze, spices, and desserts including the famous baklava

Amidst this regional diversity 3 elements are recurrent in a traditional Turkish meal :

• Yogurt (yoğurt): A little of history first,  yogurt originates from Central Asia, and would have reached Europe and the Balkans through Turkish peoples. The origin of the word “yoğurt” is also found in the Turkish verb “yoğurmak” meaning “kneading”. Turkish people use yogurt in combination with salty dishes. It is denser and has a touch of acidity. Do not be surprised if you find some next to your meat and vegetables. In supermarkets, you will find jars of 1kg or more of yogurt.

  

• Mantı – Turkish ravioli with yogurt and garlic, with butter sauce, chili, and dried mint.

• I will talk about the other two crucial elements in Turkish cuisine on my next article. If you want to learn how to cook delicious Turkish meals, please come to my cooking lesson!! 

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