Turkish Dinner Ideas 4 Traditional Recipes for a Perfect Evening Meal

ground lamb

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers a healthier fat profile.

red pepper flakes

🥗Healthier: paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Paprika provides flavor without the heat.

ground cumin

🥗Healthier: coriander

💰Cheaper: caraway seeds

Coriander offers a similar earthy flavor.

Prepare the ingredients for the Islam Kebab: mix finely minced beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, chili, cumin, black pepper, salt, pepper paste, crushed garlic, and a little baking soda.

Take a portion of the mixture and shape it into meatballs, approximately 60 grams each.

Prepare the eggplants by cutting off the ends, peeling half of them, and slicing them lengthwise.

Fry the sliced eggplants in heated oil until golden.

Remove the fried eggplant slices and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Fry the meatballs until cooked through.

Wrap each meatball in two slices of fried eggplant, arranged in a cross shape, and secure with a toothpick.

Prepare a glass of tomato paste mixed with salt and pour it over the arranged meatballs on a baking tray.

Optionally, prepare some potatoes to accompany the dish.

For the soup, add oil to a pot and sauté chopped onion until translucent.

Add flour and mix well, then add tomato paste and water along with salt and sugar.

Mix in washed rice and red lentils, and optionally add lemon juice and broth.

In a separate pan, melt butter and add dried mint and chili peppers; this mixture will be added to the soup later.

Blend the soup mixture with a hand blender until it reaches the desired consistency, leaving some grains visible.

Add the spicy butter mixture to the soup and set aside.

To make bulgur pilaf, heat oil in a pan and sauté chopped onion and pepper, then add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.

Stir in washed bulgur, salt, and butter, followed by tomato juice and hot water.

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and cook for 15 minutes.

For the milk pudding dessert, add butter to a pan and melt it, then add flour and fry until roasted.

Gradually mix in 1 liter of cold milk and 1 cup of granulated sugar, stirring continuously until it boils over medium heat.

In another pan, roast catf with a little sugar until caramelized.

Add whipped cream to the caramelized catf and beat well with a mixer.

Pour half of the roasted catf into a tray, then pour the custard over it and smooth with a spatula. Let it cool completely.

Once cooled, add the remaining crispy catf on top and sprinkle with crushed walnuts.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary