Turkish cuisine. What national dishes you must try
It is quite possible to diversify the excursion route in Turkey with gastronomic trails – it is not without reason that the cuisine of this country successfully competes with the masterpieces of European and Asian cuisine. The popular all inclusive system gives only a rough idea of the oriental delights, and in order to get to know them better, you should go straight to the restaurant, and it’s better to choose a place not touristy, but chosen by the Turks themselves. What is worth trying from the local cuisine?
Iskender kebab
This dish occupies the top lines in all menus in cafes and restaurants in Turkey. But they cook it differently everywhere. It comes from the city of Bursa, where a special recipe for making this meat delicacy has been passed down from generation to generation. What awaits gourmets who ordered Iskender kebab? Fresh lamb cooked on a spit and thinly sliced, a generous portion of homemade yoghurt and a special hot sauce is the secret of the chef of the chosen establishment.
Adana kebab
The name speaks for itself, because the birthplace of this dish is the hot city of Adana. The treat consists of two long, narrow meatballs cooked on the grill. Minced meat for them is used lamb, the leanest pieces are used. The lean meat is scrambled with onions, garlic and spices in a meat grinder, replacing two of the sharpest knives used to finely chop meat in the days of the Ottoman sultans and beautiful concubines. Adana kebab is served on special flatbreads, and the dish is decorated with grilled vegetables – green pepper and tomato.
Patlajan kebab
A very popular dish, which you can try not only in a restaurant, but also in any inexpensive cafe. The main thing is to learn how to pronounce the word “eggplant” correctly, which is the highlight of this dish. And it looks like a big barbecue – large pieces of minced lamb are interspersed with pieces of eggplant, all this is strung on a skewer and baked in the hearth.
Keramite kavurma
It is a finely chopped pieces of meat – most often, beef, with the addition of fresh vegetables (tomatoes and peppers) and olive oil. The dish is prepared in a special ceramic bowl for a very short time – so that the vegetables have time to brown a little, and the meat does not become overdried. It is served in ceramic dishes straight from the oven, so you need to eat it carefully so as not to burn yourself.
Pilyav
Unlike the famous Uzbek pilaf, pilyav is just rice. But the Turks cook it masterfully – crumbly, golden, it becomes not only an amazing side dish, but also a separate delicious dish.
Chorba
At almost every step you can eat boiling Turkish soup – chorba. They are represented by three main recipes:
• Merjemek Chorba – a thick lentil puree soup with the addition of aromatic spices.
• Tavuk Chorba – rich chicken broth with lots of boiled chicken and squeezed fresh lemon.
• Pacha Chorba – lamb head broth with garlic.
You can treat yourself to a fiery soup at any time of the day or night – bus drivers finish their work shift and travelers meet the dawn, so you can always find the best masters of Turkish chorba in cafes near bus stations.
Jajik
Hot meat dishes are good only in the evening, when the heat recedes. And you can satisfy your hunger and take a break from the obsessive heat during the day with a bowl of Jadzhik ice soup. It is prepared on the basis of homemade yogurt or ayran, with the addition of finely chopped dill and fresh cucumbers.
Pide and Lahmacun
Turkish pastries are also very tasty, confidently competing with Italian pizza. The Turks prepare amazingly tasty dough, and the fillings are very diverse. The most delicious is a simple pide with cheese – Kasharly pide. Turkish pizza has a more complex filling – minced meat, tomatoes with onions, and finely chopped greens are put in the classic lahmacun.
Gözleme
And every tourist is familiar with these Turkish cakes. Vacationers liked them so much that each hotel competes for the best craftswomen who bake gozleme for guests. This is a thinly rolled dough, fried in butter, with a wide variety of fillings – potatoes, cheese, cheese and minced meat. And those with a sweet tooth can try sweet hot cakes with chocolate cream.
It is best to finish the feast with a small glass of strong tea with a piece of baklava. After all, the main secret of this delicacy is not available for store-bought sweets: honey treats are consumed only freshly prepared. Enjoy your meal!