Turkish cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, central Asian, eastern European and Balkan cuisines but has an identify of it’s own. Similar to say Greek cuisine, it’s fresh, uses seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, meat and a variety of both fresh and dried herbs and spices. Here is how you can enjoy Turkish cusine at home by keeping these basic ingredients.

Enjoy Turkish cuisine at home by keeping these basic ingredients + recipes www.domesblissity.com

Most of us think of Turkish bread (pide), Turkish Delight and their own version of baklava when we think of Turkish food but it’s way more than that. Simply prepared food with fresh ingredients, which most of us have in our homes, is what Turkish cuisine is all about. A blend of different country’s cuisines with an identity all of it’s own.

Herbs & Spices:

Allspice, anise, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mastic, nigella seeds, red pepper, rosewater, saffron, sesame seeds, sumac

Meat & Protein:

Ground meat, veal, lamb, fish, sardines, anchovies, chicken, eggs, lentils, chickpeas, black eyed peas, cannelini beans

Fruit & Vegetables:

Fresh or dried plums, apricots, pomegranates, pears, apples, grapes, and figs, citrus fruit, currants, raisins, spinach, leek, cauliflower, artichoke, cabbage, celery, eggplant, green and red capsicum (bell peppers), green beans, jerusalem artichoke, carrots, onions, tomatoes, vine leaves, olives, zucchini, garlic, potatoes, cucumber

Pantry Basics:

Rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, yoghurt

Recipes:

Turkish meze is usually a selection of dishes to share as an appetiser and a prelude to the main dish. Most people eat this way whether it’s at home or at a restaurant. What a great way to feed a crowd or for entertaining. There is a selection of typical meze recipes here.

We might be familiar with the doner kebab but kebabs are a traditional and common way the Turkish cook and eat meat. You can find 10 different recipes here. A great alternative for the barbecue.