Turkish Cuisine Heritage and Abundance
Since the days of the powerful Ottoman empire,Turkey has been at the center of trade, especially in spice, and the Ottoman chefs borrowed, adapted and perfected dishes from many other cuisines. The Turkish use of spices in many dishes and popular method of grilling food, particularly meat, over charcoal has spread to neighboring nations and beyond.
The diet here, like elsewhere in the Mediterranean, is typically rich in vegetables, herbs and fish. Other commonly used ingredients include lamb, beef, chicken, eggplants, nuts, garlic and lentils. Herbs and spices are also generously used, with cumin, pepper, mint, oregano, parsley and paprika being among the most popular.
The nomadic period of its history led to the large consumption of milk and dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt and ayran (a yogurt drink). But the two most popular Turkish drinks are famous worldwide, the unique types of tea, which is consumed several times daily, and the typical coffee.
Kebab
Kebab is the common name for a dish where meat is coated around a skewer and grilled over a charcoal fire. Originality the meat consisted of lamb or beef, but nowadays you can also choose chicken. It is usually served with a salad, thin flat bread, and sometimes rice.
Menemen
Menemen is sometimes called a breakfast dish however it can be eaten at any time throughout the day. It consists of onions, peppers and tomatoes slowly heated in a hot pan, to which eggs are then added, and also paprika and black pepper.
Kofte
It is commonly referred to as meatballs, but they come in all shapes. They contain ground meat (usually lamb or mutton) mixed with crumbled bread, minced onions and spices.
Lahmacun
A dish which most resembles a pizza, it is a thin kind of bread with many different toppings. Popular toppings include tomato, peppers, onions, and lamb sauce, along with cheese, fresh vegetables and lemons.
Baklava
The most famous and popular Turkish dessert, it represents layers of dough is typically filled with chopped walnuts or pistachios, cinnamon and sugar, and covered in honey syrup.
Kunefe
This dessert represents shredded phyllo dough encasing a sweet cheese, topped with pistachios and honey, which creates a unique blend of sweet pastry and savory cheese.
Related: Mediterranean cuisine
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