Atlas Cooking

Turkish Cooking Class Session2#2012

2012-01-22T21:31:00.000-06:00

Dear Atlas Cooking Class Friend,

Atlas will hold the second Turkish Cooking Class for the Spring'12 semester on January 25th, Wednesday@6:00pm. We will all enjoy cooking and tasting delicious Turkish dishes. The each whole menu of the sessions will represents one of the seven region of Turkey. In this session we will be presenting menu from Marmara Region in Turkey. The menu for session #2 includes Paper Kebap, Semolina Dessert, Cig borek (raw borek), Soup, Green Salad and Rice.

1.Session of 2012

2012-01-20T20:51:00.001-06:00

The first session of 2012 was held in Atlas on January 11th. We're glad to see all of our old friends and meet new friends as well. In this session we emphasized delicious dishes from Aegean region of Turkey. Here are the some photos of the first session.

Izmir Kofte

Fig Dessert with Pudding

Stuffed Grape Leaves

After preparation of the dishes a presentation about Aegean region was shown.

And this week's lucky winner was chosen

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and hosts. Hope to see you next time.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com.

Turkish Cooking Class Session1#2012

2012-01-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

Dear Atlas Cooking Class Friend,

Atlas will hold the first Turkish Cooking Class for the Spring'12 semester on January 11th, Wednesday@6:00pm. We will all enjoy cooking and tasting delicious Turkish dishes. The each whole menu of the sessions will represents one of the seven region of Turkey. In this session we will be presenting menu from Aegean Region in Turkey. The menu for session #1 includes Izmir Kofte (Meatball from aegean region with Potato and pepper), Stuffed Grape Leaves, Fith Dessert with Pudding, Green Salad and Rice.

Session#10 Photos

2011-05-28T13:08:00.000-05:00

The 10th session of Turkish Cooking Classes was held on May 19th, Thursday. This was the last session of Turkish Cooking Classes for this semester. It was a great evening for all of us with our delicious menu. Here are some pictures from the session!

Keskek

Macaroni Salad

Gullac Dessert

Tantuni

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and hosts. Hope to see you next sessions.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com.

Session 10@ May 19.2011

2011-05-13T18:44:00.001-05:00

Session 9 Photos

2011-05-13T17:34:00.000-05:00

The 9. session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, May 05,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below.
islim Kebabi (Steam Kebap)

Meatballs Soup

Sarma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Coconut Balls

This week's winners:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on May,19, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session 9 @ May 5. 2011

2011-05-01T00:45:00.000-05:00

Session 8 Photos

2011-04-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

The 8. session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, April 21,2011. We're little bit of short hand as our most cooks went to Turkey for summer break but with the help of our understanding participants, the evening turned out as perfect as always. It was quite a relief :) Again many thanks to wonderful participants. It was a great night fancied with warm conversations.

Meat with bechamel sauce

White Lentil Soup

Carrot Salad with Yogurt

Sekerpare(Turkish sugar cookies)

This week's winners:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on May,5, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session 8 @ April 21. 2011

2011-04-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

Session 7 Photos

2011-04-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

The seventh session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, April 7,2011. Many thanks to wonderful participants. It was a great night fancied with warm conversations.

Photos from this wonderful event are below. (You can see a larger version if you click on a photo)

White Beans with Turkish beef sausage

Tortilla Borek

Potato Balls

Baklava

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.And the feast time...

This week's winners:

1. A gift was given to a participant who tried previous week's dish (One of them )

2) Door gift

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on April, 21, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session7 menu @ April 7, 2011

2011-03-31T23:36:00.000-05:00

Session 6 Photos

2011-03-27T23:00:00.000-05:00

The sixth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, March 24,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below. (You can see a larger version if you click on a photo)

Potato Borek (with home made pyhllo)

Karniyarik (Stuffed Eggplant)

Mushroom Soup

Kivili Kuplar (Kiwi Cups Dessert)

Cacik, Rice, and Green Salad

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.And the feast time...

This week's lucky winners:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on April, 7th, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session 6 Menu (March 24, 2011)

2011-03-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

Session 5 Photos

2011-03-15T22:09:00.000-05:00

The fourth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, March 10,2011. This week we'd shared recipes that would fit for tea time. Photos from this wonderful event are below. (You can see a larger version if you click on a photo)

Turkish Bagel

Lahmacun(Turkish Pizza)

Puff Dessert

Potato and Carrot Salad

Special thanks to Marlinda, who kindly brought her fresh garden herbs for this delicious salad.

Bulbul Konagi Dessert (Nightingale's nest dessert)

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.And the feast time:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on March,24th, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session 5 Menu (March, 10, 2011)

2011-03-01T17:09:00.000-06:00

To register (if you have not already done so), please click here. If you are already registered, please RSVP at least two days before each class you want to attend at atlascooking@gmail.com

Session#4 Photos

2011-03-01T00:14:00.000-06:00

The fourth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, February 24,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Vegetable Salad(Sebze Salatası)

Tomato Soup(Domates Çorbası)

(Roasted chicken with rice) Kapama

Semolina Dessert (Revani)

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.And the feast time:

This week's lucky winner:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on March,10th, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session 4 Menu (February 24, 2011)

2011-02-16T00:08:00.001-06:00

To register (if you have not already done so), please click here. If you are already registered, please RSVP at least two days before each class you want to attend at atlascooking@gmail.com

Session#3 Photos

2011-02-12T16:14:00.002-06:00

The third session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, February 10,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Paper Kebab(Kağıt Kebabı)

Ezo Gelin Soup(Ezo gelin çorbası)

Apple Dessert(Elma tatlısı)

Cacık

Rice Pilaf(Pirinç pilavı)

Green salad(yeşil salata)

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.And the feast time:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on February,24th, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Tea time February 18th @6:00pm‏ (Ladies only event)

2011-02-10T13:38:00.000-06:00

Session#3-Menu @ February 10th, 2011

2011-02-06T20:28:00.002-06:00

To register (if you have not already done so), please click here. If you are already registered, please RSVP at least two days before each class you want to attend at atlascooking@gmail.com

Cooking Contest...

2011-02-01T08:13:00.005-06:00

Session#2 Photos

2011-01-30T22:26:00.000-06:00

The second session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, January 27,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Chicken shish kebab(Tavuk şiş kebap)

Stuffed zucchinis with ground meat(Kıymalı kabak dolması)

Step by step preparation of the stuffed zucchinis

Vegetarian wheat pilaf(Sebzeli bulgur pilavı)

Step by step preparation of the pilaf

Shepherd's salad(Çoban salatası)


Step by step preparation of the salad

Rose shaped pastry dessert(Gül tatlısı)

Step by step preparation of the dessert

Thanks to our hosts for their presentations.
This week's lucky winners were:

And the feast time:

As always we had fabulous food and great time. Thanks to all participants and talented hosts. If you have missed this fun and productive evening, hope to see you next time on February,10th, 2011, between 06.00-08.00pm.To register send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com or click here

Session#2-Menu @ January 27th, 2011

2011-01-20T00:03:00.001-06:00

Session#1 Photos

2011-01-19T23:50:00.000-06:00

The first session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Thursday, January 13,2011. Photos from this wonderful event are below.
Meatloaf(Rulokofte)

Wedding Soup(Dugun corbasi)

Kadaif desser(Kadayif tatlisi)

Potato salad(Patates salatasi)

Thanks to all participants, and our talented chefs ...

Session#1- Recipes

2011-01-19T23:49:00.000-06:00

Session #6 - Photos

2011-01-19T22:01:00.003-06:00

The sixth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday December 1st 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Mercimek Koftesi (Red Lentil Balls)

Ev Pidesi (Homemade Stuffed Pita)

Talas Boregi

Eggplant Salad with Cheese

Gul (Rose) Baklava

Sultan's Delight

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

Session #6 - Menu @December 1st

2011-01-19T21:56:00.002-06:00

Session #5 - Photos

2010-11-23T23:05:00.001-06:00

The fifth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday November 17th 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Manti

Hasanpasa Meatball

Bulgur Pilaf

Toasted Bread Dessert

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

And this weeks winners :)

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on Dec 1th, 2010.

Session #5 - Menu @November 17th

2010-11-23T22:57:00.008-06:00

Session #5- Recipes

2010-11-23T22:57:00.007-06:00

Session #4 - Photos

2010-11-10T23:02:00.000-06:00

The fourth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday November 3rd, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Chicken Soup

Maklube

Gozleme

Fig Dessert

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

And this weeks winners :)

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on Nov 17th, 2010.

Session #4 - Menu @November 3th

2010-11-03T11:08:00.002-05:00

Session #3 - Photos

2010-10-29T22:47:00.004-05:00

The third session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday October 20th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Kisir

Cheese Pastry (Borek)

Potato Veggi Salad

Simit

Chicken Breast Dessert

Lemon Cake

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

And this weeks winners :)

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on Nov 3rd, 2010.

Session #3- Recipes

2010-10-21T18:43:00.000-05:00

Session #3 - Menu @October 20th

2010-10-19T19:33:00.001-05:00

Session #2 - Photos

2010-10-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

The second session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday October 6th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Red Lentil Soup

Gardener Kebab

Rice

Mix Veggie Salad

Coconut Cake

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

And this weeks winners :)

Session #2- Recipes

2010-10-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

Session #2 - Menu @October 6th

2010-09-29T21:25:00.000-05:00

The second Turkish Cooking class for the Fall'10 semester will be held on October 6th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #2 includes Red Lentil Soup, Gardener Kebab, Coconut Cake with Syrup, Mix Veggie Salad.

Please RSVP at least two days before each class you want to attend at atlascooking@gmail.com.

Session #1 - Photos

2010-09-24T11:13:00.004-05:00

After a long summer break, we have held our first cooking class for the Fall'10 semester on Wednesday September 22nd, 2010. Thanks to the great interest to our class from all our friends! We had a really crowded and fun class :) Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Green Lentil Soup with Noodles

Izmir Kofte

Stuffed Peppers

Wet Cookies

And our first week door prize winner..

Session #1- Recipes

2010-09-23T20:24:00.000-05:00

Session #1 - Menu @September 22nd

2010-09-15T20:50:00.003-05:00

The first Turkish Cooking class for the Fall'10 semester will be held on September 22nd, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #1 includes Wet Cookies, Green Lentil Soup with Noodles, Izmir Kofte, and Stuffed Peppers.

Please RSVP at least two days before each class you want to attend at atlascooking@gmail.com.

Turkish Cuisine Classes are back on September 22 2010 !

2010-09-12T11:28:00.004-05:00

*You will enjoy the culture while you are learning how to prepare wonderful healthy Turkish meals.

*And of course, you are very welcome to join the feast at the end of the class!

Session #8 - Photos

2010-05-13T08:19:00.002-05:00

The eighth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday April 28th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Okra with Ground Beef

Bulgur Pilaf

Sekerpare

Roasted Eggplant Salad

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

This week's winner who has tried a recipe from the previous cooking classes.

and our door prize winner..

Session #8- Recipes

2010-04-29T22:33:00.001-05:00

Session #8 - Menu @April 28th

2010-04-27T16:45:00.001-05:00

The eighth and final Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on April 28th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #8 includes Okra with ground beef, Bulgur pilaf, Sekerpare and Roasted eggplant salad. To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Photos from the Turkish Breakfast

2010-04-25T23:44:00.001-05:00

Here are the photos from our Turkish Breakfast last Saturday. We had fabulous food and great time. If you have missed it, hope to see you next time.

Session #7 - Recipes

2010-04-20T14:12:00.003-05:00

Session #7 - Photos

2010-04-18T12:11:00.004-05:00

The seventh session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday April 14th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below. Special thanks to Laurie for sharing her homemade cheese and cream as well as her experience with us.

Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

Kadayif with pudding

Meatballs with bulgur in sauce

Green beans with eggs

Tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

This week's winner who has tried a recipe from the previous cooking classes..

and our door prize winner..

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on April 28th, 2010. To register, send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com, or clickhere.

You are cordially invited to Turkish style breakfast!

2010-04-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

Atlas will hold a "Turkish Breakfast" on April 17th at 9:30am. All cooking class friends and their families are invited. Please join us and taste delicious and healthy traditional Turkish breakfast.

The breakfast will be free of charge...If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by April 16th to atlascooking@gmail.com

Session #7 - Menu @April 14th

2010-04-11T22:27:00.003-05:00

The seventh Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on April 14th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #7 includes Kadayif with puding, Green beans with eggs, Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza), and Meatballs with bulgur in sauce. To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #6 - Photos

2010-04-04T12:11:00.004-05:00

The sixth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday March 31th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Sesame Seed Balls

Fellah Vegetarian Balls

Honey Cookies

Chicken Salad

Finally tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

Here is this week's winner who has tried a recipe from the previous cooking classes..

and our door prize winner..

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on April 14th, 2010. To register, send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com, or clickhere.

Session #6 - Recipes

2010-04-01T22:17:00.001-05:00

Session #6 - Menu @March 31th

2010-03-28T16:55:00.001-05:00

The sixth Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on March 31th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #6 includes Chicken Salad, Sesame Seed Balls, Fellah Vegetarian Balls, and Honey Cookies. To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #5 - Photos

2010-03-21T13:11:00.005-05:00

The fifth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday March 17th, 2010. Photos from this wonderful event are below.

Cooking the Maklube with Chicken

Pinto Beans with Olive Oil

Mushroom Soup

Shobiyet Baklava Dessert

Finally tasting each of the dishes we have cooked..

and chatting with each other..

Here is this week's winner who has tried a recipe from the previous cooking classes..

and our door prize winner..

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on March 31st, 2010. To register, send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com, or clickhere.

Session #5 - Recipes

2010-03-17T21:30:00.002-05:00

Session #5 - Menu @March 17th

2010-03-11T22:18:00.000-06:00

The fifth Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on March 17th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #5 includes Mushroom Soup, Pinto Bean with Olive Oil, Shobiyet Baklava, and Maklube with Chicken. To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #4 - Photos

2010-03-04T22:04:00.005-06:00

The fourth session of the Turkish Cooking Class at Atlas Center was held on Wednesday March 3rd, 2010. Below are some of the photos from this wonderful event.

Making the Tomato Soup..

Leek with Olive Oil

Stuffed Zucchini

And Sultan's Delight Desert..

We had a great feast..

and wonderful conversations

Here is this week's winner who has tried a recipe from the previous cooking classes

Our door prize winner...

If you have missed this week's cooking class, please do not worry. We will have another one on March 17th, 2010. To register, send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com, or click here.

Session #4 - Recipes

2010-03-04T12:15:00.002-06:00

Session #4 - Menu @March 3rd

2010-02-27T18:46:00.005-06:00

The fourth Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on March 3rd, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #4 includes Stuffed Zucchini, Tomato Soup, Leek with Olive Oil, and Palace Delight Dessert. To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #3 - Photos

2010-02-19T10:19:00.018-06:00

Turkish Cooking Class had its third class of the year on February 17, 2010. We demonstrated some of the dishes that are great for tea-time or dinner party. Also we had a visitor cook from Turkey and we thank her for sharing her delicious recipes with us.
Here are some photos of this session!

Lentil Balls (Mercimek Koftesi)

Bundle Borek (Bohca Boregi)

Semolina Dessert (Irmik Helvasi)
Apple Cookie (Elmali Kurabiye)
Roasted Red Pepper Salad (Kirmizi Biber Salatasi)

Turkish Tea (Cay)

And we have a winner who tried recipe from the previous cooking classes :)

We are thankful to our Cooks, we all had a great time. Hope to see you next cooking class that will be on Wednesday March 3rd. Please, join us for the feast!

Please, do not hesitate to email us for questions and comments. To RSVP for next classes simply send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com

Session #3 - Recipes

2010-02-17T21:32:00.001-06:00

Session #3 - Menu @February 17th

2010-02-13T00:04:00.013-06:00

The third Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on February 17th, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #3 includes Apple Cookie, Lentil Balls, Bundle Borek and Roasted Red Pepper Salad.
To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #2 - Photos

2010-02-07T16:02:00.012-06:00

Our second Turkish Cooking Class of the year was held on Wednesday February 3rd, 2010. As always, we had a great time learning, tasting and enjoying new dishes from Turkish cuisine. Please, do not worry! if you have missed last class, join us on February 17th, 2010 for the next one!
Refreshments at the beginning.. And we have a winner who tried a recipe from first cooking class :)

Orzo Soup (Sehriye Corbasi)

Spinach Borek (Ispanakli Borek)

Sultan's Delight (Hunkar Begendi)

Roll Baklava (Burma Baklava)
Attendees, also, had the chance to try making rolled baklava themselves and we found out that they are all very good at this.

Shepherd's Salad (Coban Salatasi)

Please, do not hesitate to email us for questions and comments. To RSVP for next class on February 17th, 2010 simply send an e-mail to atlascooking@gmail.com

Session #2 - Recipes

2010-02-03T16:50:00.002-06:00

Session #2 - Menu @February 3rd

2010-01-29T10:12:00.011-06:00

The second Turkish Cooking class for the Spring'10 semester will be held on February 3rd, Wednesday @6:00pm. The menu for session #2 includes Sultan's Delight, Borek, Roll Baklava, and Shepherd's Salad.
To register for the next class (or any of the upcoming classes) in advance, please click here.

Session #1 - Photos

2010-01-22T11:49:00.011-06:00

First session of Turkish Cooking Classes was held on Wednesday January 20, 2010. As always, we had a great time learning, tasting and enjoying new dishes from Turkish cuisine. Do not worry if you have missed this class, join us on February 3rd for the next one!

This is the class. We had many new Friends..

making lentil soup (mercimek corbasi)

making Islim Kebap

How to make cacik (Yogurt with cucumber)

at the last Turkish Coffee was served (Turk Kahvesi)

Seeing on the computer screen is not enough, you should come and taste it. Especially, for the lentil soup and kebap, you need to be trained by the Cooks to learn the right way to make it. We are thankful to our Cooks, we all had a great time. Hope to see you next time!

Session #1 - Recipes

2010-01-22T11:43:00.001-06:00

Session #1 - Menu @January 20th

2010-01-14T11:36:00.014-06:00

Atlas will hold the first cooking class for the Spring'10 semester on January 20th, Wednesday @6:00pm. We will all enjoy cooking and tasting delicious Turkish dishes together.
The menu for session #1 includes Islim Kebabi, Lentil Soup, and Flower Dessert. To register in advance, please click here.

Turkish Cooking Classes for Spring Semester will start soon @Atlas Center

2010-01-09T22:14:00.000-06:00

The Turkish Cooking classes for the Spring semester will start soon at the Atlas Cultural Center @7712 Goodwood Blvd.

The classes will be held every other Wednesday between 6:00pm-8:00pm starting on January 20th, 2010. We will learn authentic Turkish recipes, prepare & cook them all together during the classes, and of course taste them at the end!

Everybody is invited! Participation in each class is only $10 to cover the costs of the materials. In order to register for the classes, please visit send an email to atlascooking@gmail.com with your name and contact information or visit:

http://www.atlaslouisiana.org/index.php?option=com_artforms&formid=1

Turkish Cuisine - A Legacy

2010-01-09T19:47:00.000-06:00

Turkish Cuisine is said to be one of the best in the world, and it is actually a unique blend of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines because of the wide span of the Ottoman Empire in history. During the Ottoman period, Turkish cooking became increasingly sophisticated. In the kitchens of the palace and in the homes of nobles and officials, cooks developed high level of specialization, and so Istanbul cooking or palace cooking, which is regarded as the pinnacle of Turkish Cuisine, was created.

Turkish food has a simplicity and pureness that produces quality dishes in an astounding variety. These dishes utilize a lot of fresh produce; most commonly spinach, tomatoes, onion, garlic and especially eggplant, which holds a place of honor in Turkish cooking and can be seen everywhere from the familiar Moussaka to the more unusual Karniyarik, where it pairs up with a minced meat mixture. Eggplant can even be made into a jam in Turkish cooking. Meat in Turkish dishes is usually in the form of lamb or minced ground beef, and it is usually combined with vegetables to produce delicious results. Yoghurt is an especially important component of Turkish cuisine; in fact the English word Yogurt is derived from a Turkish word. Yoghurt is essential as an accompaniment to meat and vegetable dishes, and it is also used in pastries, soups, and even Ayran, a Turkish drink featuring yoghurt in a starring role. All of these ingredients make up delicious dishes that are steadily gaining popularity throughout the world.

Turkish Cuisine owes its development and survival to the sophisticated and delicate culinary expertise which the Ottoman palace, the grand houses and the numerous associations of cooks and confectioners passed on from generation to generation. The Turkish saying "Never mind what you ate and drank, tell me where you have been and what you have seen", shows it was considered bad manners to talk about food and this is why there is little cullinary literature in Turkish.