June 2015: Istanbul I am basing my pazar observations on a different market this month. This is because a) I missed my usual Monday one as we were travelling, and b) some visiting friends from the UK ...
Succulent Lamb with Spring Greens/Kuzu Kapama
This is just the right time of year to make this dish and it's one that immediately comes to my mind when I see the leaves outside turning that vivid shade of green. My feet have barely touched ...
A Vibrant London Market:Come to Broadway on a Saturday
I love my son's area. He lives in the East End of London which used to be associated with dodgy. It is fast coming up in the world but still maintains its diversity and colourful origins. TT and ...
Macun: the Original Turkish Lollypop
The 'c' in macun is pronounced like a 'j'. The 'u' isn't like in 'up' but more like the 'ou' sound in 'bouquet'. But phonemics aside, macun is a street food, pure and simple! It's a little lolly ...
Monthly Market Update: What’s In and What’s Not in the Turkish Pazars
April-May 2015: Istanbul At last! The markets are delivering on their early promise! This is what we have been waiting for: the glorious sight of huge mounds of beautiful spring produce! ...
Purslane Salad with Yogurt & Almonds/Yoğurtlu Semizotu Salatası
I was thinking along the lines of semizotu or purslane as we call it although it doesn't seem to be commonly known, as I was planning on using it in my cooking class in Kuzguncuk. This despite the ...
First Signs of Turkish Spring: Çağla Badem and Yeşil Erik
And that means the sourest tastes you can imagine! I find it almost impossible to reconcile a liking for çağla or early almonds in their fledgling fuzzy green skins and also can erik or unripe ...
Classic Potato Börek/ Patatesli Börek
I never thought I would make a potato börek and yet I have and I will make it again as it was quite delicious! That filling of potato isn't as stodgy as it sounds, combined as it is with white ...