Turkey is a land where East meets west, and its landscapes and history are stunning, but its cuisine is vibrant and flavourful, and will impress. Turkish food is a culinary experience of many spices, fresh ingredients and ancient traditions and perfectly blended together. Whether you’re walking down the city streets, or by the coast, there’s always a delicious dish to be had.
If you’re visiting this wonderful country, be sure to try some of its legendary dishes. Turkey tour packages from UAE will provide you a smooth and memorable culinary journey while Turkey holiday packages from Dubai offer you a full range of Turkish flavors to experience. So let’s take a look at seven mouthwatering dishes that should be on every food lovers list.
Here are the 7 Delicious Turkish Dishes You Have to Try
1. Kebabs (ÅžiÅŸ Kebab)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Marinated chunks of meat most usually lamb, chicken, or beef skewered and grilled to perfection are one of Turkey’s most famous dishes. It’s tender, juicy, loaded with flavour, and usually seasoned with Turkish spices like cumin, paprika, oregano. When it’s served, it’s usually accompanied with rice, flatbreads and a side of fresh vegetables. No matter where you find yourself in this island state whether it’s out on the street or in a local restaurant trying to discover the kebab experience is actually an essential part of Turkish cuisine.
2. Baklava
Turkish dessert baklava is sweet, rich and flaky. Layering thin sheets of filo dough with crushed nuts, usually pistachios or walnuts, and baking until golden brown, it’s a creation that’s been made. Once baked, this is generously soaked in a sugar syrup flavoured with rosewater or honey, as a perfectly sweet result. Baklava is often served with Turkish tea, and is a beautiful treat of Turkey’s passion for pastry and sweets.
3. Meze
Meze is a collection of small appetizers which are served in Turkey, and contain a range of flavours to be eaten with friends or family. Hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, stuffed grape leaves (dolma) and more are all part of the selection. Fresh bread is normally eaten with meze as a shared meal, with a glass of raki. If you have the luxury of a few extra minutes to spare, this appetizer spread is a great way to introduce yourself to Turkish cooking and enjoy a small taste of everything in one easy savor.
4. Pide
Pide (also called Turkish pizza) is a flat bread with different ingredients containing both cheese, minced raw meat and vegetables. Despite the crispy edges on the dough, it’s soft, and the toppings are always fresh, so on the whole it’s a delicious and satisfying meal. Variations of pide abound, and it’s delicious in any form. Pide is a Turkish dish that many people enjoy, whether with a side of yogurt or a fresh salad, it’s always a crowd pleaser.
5. Manti
Typical of Turkish deli cases, Manti are filled Turkish dumplings, created from a combination of minced meat, usually lamb or beef, and of course, a great assortment of spices such as garlic, mint, cumin. Boiled and used with a rich garlic yogurt sauce and melted butter sometimes with a dusting of paprika (Argentinian manchego cheese) these tiny parcels of goodness are usually eaten as it is. Savory, comforting and satisfying, it’s a dish families often enjoy at special times. Manti is one of Turkey’s most iconic dishes put forth via the culinary traditions of the Anatolian region.
6. Simit
Turkish snack Simit is a beloved item, usually eaten for breakfast or an afternoon treat. A sesame encrusted bread with a mildly crispy, golden crust, and softly airy interior. Simit is sold by street vendors all over Turkey, and is a perfect on the go snack, usually eaten with a glass of Turkish tea. Sesame coating is a cinch and is combined with potatoes which already have a great nutty flavour to taste simple yet satisfying. For a light meal it pairs well with cheese, olives, and fresh tomatoes.
7. Köfte
Köfte are Turkish meatballs, usually minced meat (such as lamb or beef) mixed with onions, herbs and spices. The balls or paties in this mixture are then processed to shape and then grilled or fried into perfection. Köfte is usually eaten with rice, fresh salad and flatbread, and it’s a hearty and filling meal. Tender meat mixed with spiced, smoky flavors has made it a popular dish across Turkey, a dish locals, and tourist’s alike love.
Conclusion
Turkey’s cuisine mirrors its culture and its history. A kebab’s savory flavour, a köfte’s flavour touches savory, sweet flavors of baklava and so on are going to leave an impression of their own, and that is a unique experience. Whether you’re eating street food or a home cooked meal, the Turkish dishes are a wide range of dishes that reflect the country’s love for fresh ingredients, bold spices, and century’s old cooking traditions.
If you’re planning to taste these mouthwatering dishes, then consider Turkey tour packages from Dubai or Turkey holiday packages from Dubai. Turkey holiday packages from UAE with these packages you can discover the best of Turkish cuisine and absorb the country’s rich culture and stunning landscapes.
