A Culinary Adventure In Istanbul Turkey

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

 Baklava With A Turkish Touch,  Keşkül ~ Turkish Almond Pudding, And  Şekerpare 

Almost everyone knows what Baklava consists of? But have you had it with a Turkish Touch? Throughout the Middle East; the Caucasus, which is a region at the border of Asia, Europe, the Black Sea,  and the Caspian Sea, and of course modern day Turkey, comes a wide variety of Baklava. Traditional Baklava by nature, is over sweet, made with walnuts and phyllo dough, and then it is soaked in honey.  When you are sure there is no version that is a favorite among the many recipes, you encounter Turkish Stlye Baklava. In Turkey, you will see that pistachios  are usually used instead of the traditional walnuts. There are also several other small changes made from the other recipes. The end result is amazing.  This is the king of the Baklavas.

Then there is the discovery of Keşkül, an almond pudding made with milk, coconut, and pistachios. It is usually served in a special bowl with a spoon. Sprinkled on top are coconut flakes and pistachio pieces. The name, itself, has an interesting story behind it.  In the time of the Ottoman Empire, this was the name of a special bowl that lodges used for begging money, so that the lodge could make this special pudding. The pudding was then served in these same bowls and given to the poor.  This special desert is served in these same bowls even today. 

Our next major desert is  Şekerpare . It is by far the favorite among the Turkish people and is so easy to make. In a nut shell it is an almond pastry that is dipped in a a very thick lemon flavored syrup. This is simple and delicious. 

The Above Delicacies Are Best When Served With a Big Cup Of Turkish Coffee

There is coffee and then there is Turkish coffee. The difference is in how it is made. 

The Traditional Way To Make Turkish Coffee

It is made by taking ground unfiltered fresh Turkish coffee beans and boiling them over the lowest heat till they froth. It is then served and the remainder goes back on the cooking area till it froths a second time and then another serving is made. 

Now this is coffee!

  A Street Vendor Selling Warm Roasted Chestnuts And Fresh Grilled Corn On The Cob  

Taking your time to wander the side streets of Istanbul, Turkey as well as the major will render many such vendors as the one in the photo. It is easy to grab a bite of lunch as you check out monuments, museums, and other places of interest. In Turkey, like all of the Middle East, there is little reason for going hungry. 

Relaxing With Food And Friends

How do you end that perfect day? You have met new friends and you just want a bite before returning to your hotel, as dinner will be latter.  Why not visit one of the small eateries and have a snack with with Turkish coffee.  Good conversation and coffee, seem to just go together. 

On your next adventure to Turkey, we hope you are inspired to explore the world of good eats, Turkish style. 

Sources:

The Taste Space At: https://tastespace.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/turkish%C2%A0baklava/

Ottoman Times At: https://mydearkitcheninhelsinki.com/2015/10/10/keskul-turkish-almond-based-milk-

pudding-and-the-story-behind-the-name-from-ottoman-times/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Eekerpare

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_coffee



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This post is upvoted by Polsza for 40 %.
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Hi @exploretraveler !

I would sell an organ right now for a baklava! It is the most delicious piece of sweet heaven on earth!

With a nice little cup of tea! You make me dream!

You truly make me travel with my mind and tongue. xx

Thank you @elenahornfilm next time we should add video. :-)

I have been to Turkey recently and reading your post took me back there, about Turkish delicacies, indeed the ones you have mentioned are a mouth watering treat, coffee I can still smell the aroma. Loved your post, following you for more!

Thank you @ahmedsaleemi it really was a fun and exciting time there in Istanbul. Great food, and allot of history for us to document.

I thought about brewing ground coffee twice but I had second thoughts since the color becomes lighter one I pour more hot water in the second run. The first batch is always perfect.

I love the smell of Turkish coffee cooking, ahhhhh! :)

Yes the smell is truly enticing bringing you back for just another cup.

I LOVE baklava.....and would love to experience it with turkish coffee one day.

Thank you @countrygirl and it was truly a great culinary experience.

Hello @exploretraveler
I don't think I've eaten anything Turkish before but this looks delicious. I'll write Baklava With A Turkish Touch into my journal now. Maybe if I plan on visiting Turkey, I'll add it up to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing with us.


@learnandteach01

That looks delicious. I find it so hard to find good baklava. Being such a hopeless baker doesn't really help my case either though.

Thanks @paddygsound it looks really difficult to make, and several countries in the region make their own as well.

Very interesting!

My Gosh, the baklava looks amazing! We get to buy a Turkish baklava in a Lidl shop once or twice a year when it is back in specials. It is smaller, of course, yet with pistachios! Probably not as moist.... I have tried once to make my own and failed miserably!

I am still very much interested in the taste of Turkish coffee and only ever saw the small coffee pots. The ones in your pictures are so big! Does the second froth taste bitter, do you know?

Thank you for reading @rimicane. Not to our knowledge are they ever bitter.

Well, I guess I would have to find a Turkish coffee place around here and finally taste it for myself! I am not comfortable visiting countries such as Turkey, unfortunately. However, greatly interested in Turkish cuisine and especially coffee! Thank you for your reply and the new knowledge @exploretraveler! You learn something new every day ;))