Turkish

Kazan Dibi (Καζάν ντιμπί)

Nov 21st, 2009 | By Peter Minakis
Kazan Dibi (Καζάν ντιμπί)

Those who have visited Istanbul (Constantinople) will have feasted on the array of eclectic sweet and savory dishes. Back in 2007 during my trip to Greece, I snuck in a side-trip to Istanbul, Turkey for a long weekend.
One of the desserts I enjoyed was Kazan Dibi or in Greek…”o πάτος του καζανιού”. For those that [...]



Simit Kebab (σημίτ κεμπάπ)

Jun 24th, 2009 | By Peter Minakis
Simit Kebab (σημίτ κεμπάπ)

While I’m not in Greece during the summer, I’m still connected and wired to the homeland via internet, Skype, telephone and satellite radio and television. Few television shows can resist including a cooking segment.
I recently caught Greek cookbook author and TV personality, Maria Loi on a weekend show where she prepared a dish called Simit [...]



Imam Baildi (Ιμάμ Μπαϊλντί)

Jun 5th, 2009 | By Peter Minakis
Imam Baildi (Ιμάμ Μπαϊλντί)

Imam Baildi are stuffed eggplants. This is a vegetarian dish and it falls into the category of Greek cooking called “ladera” or lathera. Ladera dishes were born out of necessity, peasant families stretching-out food to feed families with what was fresh and what was seasonal.
Ladera comes from the Greek word for oil, lathi and when [...]



Pastourma Takes Patience (παστουρμά)

Jan 27th, 2009 | By Peter Minakis

On many occasions I’ve referred to the Greek eating experience as being centered around many sample plates of foods that are shared over drinks, conversation among family and friends. Greek cuisine has alot of appetizers, usually simply prepared but the array is great and the diversity even more so.
One facet of Greek appetizers or “the [...]



Hünkar Beğendi (The Sultan Enjoyed It)

Apr 13th, 2008 | By Peter Minakis

Are you enjoying our little ride around the Mediterranean? Yesterday we were in France, the day before in Greece and today, we visit Turkey.
Last year when I visited Greece, I took a side-trip to Istanbul (Constantinople). The city to this day is the center of Greek-Orthodoxy and the Patriarchate is situated there.
One of the [...]



Carrot Dip (Yoghurtlu Havuc)

Feb 2nd, 2008 | By Peter Minakis

Last year, as part of my trip to Greece, I also made a side trip to visit the enchanting city of Istanbul (Constantinople).
I went to visit this great city as a Greek, as a lover of travel, culture, history and to sample the local cuisine.
Much like the Greeks, Turks also enjoy sampling an array of [...]



Gratin of Zucchini and Squash (Kabak Graten)

Dec 5th, 2007 | By Peter Minakis

When I was in Greece this past summer I also took a spontaneous trip to Turkey. Turkey’s largest city is Istanbul and us Greeks still call it by it’s old name of Constantinople. To this day, it remains the center of Greek Orthodoxy and I believe every Greek and philhellene should visit this enchanted, warm, [...]