Recap – Politiki Kouzina, Constantinople Dinner

Constantinople, the name Greeks still like to call modern-day Istanbul. The name Istanbul comes from Byzantine times when it was referred to as “Is Thn Poli”. I have been three times to this magical, historical and magnificent city.

Many Greeks who left Istanbul to resettle in mainland Greece, brought with them the many recipes for the exotic dishes from the city…H Poli. Some Greek, some Turkish, some a hybrid of both and all of them…delicious!

 

Meze

Phyllo cigars with Pastourma

Stuffed Mussels of Peran

Dolmades Gialantzi With Carrot Tzatziki

Ozlem’s Icli Kofte

First Course – Red Lentil Soup with Caramelized Onions

Second Course – Manti pasta with butternut squash filling, yogurt

Main course – Hunkar Begendi, braised lamb in an aromatic tomato sauce with smoked eggplant puree

Politiki Salata

Homemade Pide bread

Dessert – Kazan Dibi

Turkish coffee with Loukoum

All courses were paired with Greek wines selected by Kolonaki Group. Guests enjoyed (in the order of courses) Thalia white, Boutari Moschofilero, Thalia red, Boutari Agiorgitiko, Muscat of Limnos.

As a special surprise, guests also enjoyed an array of baklava and chocolate from Meli Baklava, a team of friends who have just this enterprise to provide folks in Toronto and beyond with the best baklava. I think they do!

I loved this menu, love the cuisine of Constantinople and I could probably do one this theme with new recipes each year.

Don’t forget that seats are now on sale for my next Greek Supper Club happening on Wednesday December 11th with a Greek Christmas theme. Join me as I cook up some Greek Christmas dishes for the very first time at a Danforth/Greektown location, at Megas Restaurant (near Chester Station).