A mesmerising mix of grand mosques, white travertines, opulent palaces and jaw dropping vistas; this confluence of Asian and European cultures makes Turkey a beautiful hotspot! However, this is not all. A flurry of elegant hotels, delicious combination of flavours and ingredients, and a bewildering mix of Greek, Ottoman and the Middle eastern cuisine are some of the few things that make this magical land a foodie’s delight. From succulent Kebaps to the flavoursome mezze platter, Turkish cuisine offers a dizzying selection of mouthwatering dishes.
Let’s take a look at some of these:
1. Turkish Coffee
A true Turkish coffee is a thick, rich brew in which the coffee grounds sink to the bottom. One place famous for its brew is Fazil Bey in Istanbul that has been serving Turkish Coffee since the 1920s. Most baristas in Turkey grind their own coffee and Fazil Bey does it no differently. Turkish coffee is best served with a fresh piece of Turkish Delight to take the bitter aftertaste away.
2. Lokum
Popularly known as ‘Turkish delight’, lokums are as delightful as they sound! Jelly like and nougat-y, these small, fragrant cubes of jelly flavoured with rosewater and dusted with icing sugar are sure to satiate your sweet tooth. Turkish delights are relished with the famous Turkish Coffee or tea or just had as a sweet.
3.Kebaps
For most people, Turkish cuisine generally conjures up images of delicious meaty kebaps. Kebaps refer to any form of meat that is grilled on a skewer or roasted. Very similar to the Indian Kebabs, the only difference would be that between a ‘b’and a ‘p’, the kebap extends to any dish of meat that is cooked next to the flame. It includes both small and large cut as well as ground meat. Kebaps forms an important component of the diet in Turkey and there are countless varieties available.
The popular ones include the döner and the shish kebab. The Shish (şiş) kebab is made of meat and vegetables, generally cubed and threaded onto a skewer, before being grilled and served with bread and/or rice with salads.
The Döner kebab is made from meat that is slowly roasted on a vertical spit, and then thinly sliced off. Döner is served on a plate with salad and rice or potatos; in bread like a sandwich; or in a wrap known as durum. The durum is a low cal version of a shawarma i.e. Shawarma minus the dressings. There are other popular and delicious kebaps like the Adana, Ciger, Iskinder, Testi, Tandir and Hunkari to name a few. These kebaps are sure to erase any of your former lacklustre memories of kebabs!
4. Mezze
There can be no better way of starting a meal than having spoonfuls of the mezze platter! A traditional Turkish meal begins with the waiter displaying an exquisite and varied platter of mezze with interesting varieties to choose from : Feta, spicy pickled beetroot, yoghurt mezze, braised beans, hummus, prawns salad, grain salads etc. This delicious array could easily pass off as a meal as you would find yourself nibbling, dipping and savouring chunks of bread with the delectable mezze.
5. Dolma
Dolma is a family of stuffed vegetable dishes common in Turkey. The vegetables could include bell pepper, tomatoes, egg plant, zucchini or vine leaves. Dolmas can be had hot or cold based on your preference. The hot dolmas generally include vegetables stuffed with meat and served with egg-lemon or garlic yoghurt sauce.
The rice filled Dolmas are served cold and form a part of the mezze platter or are served as a side dish accompanying the main course. The vegetables are delicately cut from the top and stuffed with beautifully spiced rice that is enrobed with the flavours of the vegetable it is stuffed in. The cold Dolmas are cooked and served with generous amounts of olive oil. This dish is quite an interesting twist to the regular rice dishes.
6. Pilav
They say simplicity is the essence of life and that holds true for pilav as well. Buttery and creamy the pilav promises a melt in the mouth experience! Popularly known as pulao in India, what sets the pilav apart is the sizzle that lends an amorous consistency to the rice. It is one of the most basic and perfect pairing with kebaps, kofte or the dolmas.
Be it a plush Istanbul eatery or the colourfully lit restaurant in the local market at Taksim Square, you are sure to love this mound of steaming hot pilav adorned with spoonfuls of beans poured over the top.
7. Baklava
Possibly the most famous dessert in Turkey, the Baklava takes your sweet tooth on a joy ride. The layers of filo pastries filled with nuts and enveloped with sweet honey or syrup is sure to have a candy like effect on you- awesome and addictive! This nutty pastry is sweet, unique and best served in Turkey! Hafiz Mustafa 1864 is a popular shop on Taksim Square in Istanbul that dishes out fresh, gorgeous looking Baklavas!
8. Turkish Ice-cream
If you hear shouts of ‘I scream for ice-cream’, rest assured , an ice-cream vendor is in the vicinity. Ice cream is called dondurma in Turkish. What makes it different from other ice creams is its elastic texture and intense flavour that comes from salep which is the powder of orchid bulbs. The ice-cream is definitely worth a try but what is more interesting is the little act put by the ice-cream vendors before they hand you that scoop of goodness! If there is a list of foods you should taste before you die, this chewy ice cream must be on the top!