How to Make Traditional Turkish Diet Meals at Home

The traditional Turkish diet is rich in flavors and colors, combining fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. If you want to recreate these delicious meals at home, here’s a guide to some classic dishes and the steps to make them.

1. Turkish Pide (Flatbread)

Pide is a staple in Turkish cuisine, resembling a boat-shaped flatbread. To make your own:

  • Ingredients: 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 packet of dry yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for around 10 minutes until bubbly.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until smooth.
  3. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
  4. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and shape the dough into a flat oval.
  5. Top with minced meat, cheese, or vegetables, and bake for 15-20 minutes.

2. Zeytinyağlı Enginar (Artichokes in Olive Oil)

This refreshing dish highlights the use of olive oil and seasonal vegetables.

  • Ingredients: 4 artichokes, 1 onion (finely chopped), 2 carrots (sliced), 1 cup of green peas, juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

  1. Clean the artichokes and rub them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. In a pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion until golden.
  3. Add carrots and peas, cooking until soft.
  4. Place the artichokes in the pot, adding enough water to cover them halfway.
  5. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and simmer for about 30-35 minutes.

3. İskender Kebab

This beloved dish consists of thinly sliced lamb served over bread with a rich tomato sauce and yogurt.

  • Ingredients: 1 pound of lamb (thinly sliced), 2 pieces of pita bread, 1 cup of yogurt, 1 cup of tomato sauce, and 2 tablespoons of butter.

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the lamb in butter until browned and cooked through.
  2. Heat the tomato sauce in a pan and season as desired.
  3. Toast the pita bread and place it on a serving plate.
  4. Top the bread with lamb slices, then pour the tomato sauce over the meat.
  5. Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt on the side.

4. Baklava

For dessert, baklava is a must-try, showcasing layers of phyllo dough and nuts.

  • Ingredients: 1 pound phyllo dough, 2 cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pistachios), 1 cup melted butter, and 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for syrup.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Layer half of the phyllo dough into a greased baking dish, brushing each layer with melted butter.
  3. Spread the chopped nuts over the phyllo, then layer the remaining phyllo sheets on top, again brushing with butter.
  4. Cut into diamond shapes and bake for about 45-50 minutes until golden.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup by boiling sugar, water, and lemon juice together for about 10 minutes. Let it cool.
  6. Once the baklava is baked, pour the cooled syrup over it and allow to soak. Serve at room temperature.

These traditional Turkish diet meals