I was a kid with weird eating habits. For example I hated rice pilaf but adored plain boiled rice, like the kind they eat in Japan or China. I also despised anything that has rice in it as an ingredient like rice pudding (which I still can’t stand to this day), any green leafy vegetables […]
Since COVID-19 pandemic started, probably like most of you, I missed travelling the most. I keep on remembering my past travels both in Turkey and outside. Reminiscing about these travels also reminds me of the wonderful local dishes I’ve tasted, the warm and hospitable people I have met and the stories I have collected. The […]
A very small step for humankind but a huge step for me…I made cheese. Well, I’ve made it ages ago but realized that I have neglected to tell you how I’ve made it. It is the simplest kind that there is but still I may have taken it up a notch with my additional flavorings. […]
There are quite a few unique foods and drink combinations in Turkish culinary culture. These may come as second nature to a native Turk but from a foreigners’ perspective, they need to be explained to make sense. One of those unique combinations is dürüm, the quintessential meat wrap; and ayran, the ubiquitous yogurt drink that […]
Culinary world is a high ego environment. I have witnessed many people from every aspect of the culinary profession who thinks they are better and know more than the others. I believe the opposite. I believe that there is always someone better than me and I can always learn more. Thinking there is always someone […]
I don’t consider myself an avid television watcher. Except for the important news on local channels, informational or documentary-type programs on Japan’s national channel, and my favorite detective dramas broadcasted on foreign channels/ I especially don’t watch competition programs or game shows. The main reason why I don’t watch them is that I don’t gain […]
Between my master’s classes and teaching, I got quite busy and neglected to update my beloved blog. Well here I am, wanting to share the lovely pasta dish I made with some leftover ingredients at hand: a sad little eggplant (I usually don’t buy ingredients out of season but these were so fresh and small […]
In the midst of my teaching and master’s classes, I sometimes relax in front of the TV and usually watch NHK World, the international version of Japanese national TV channel. There are great programs related to food and travel. At night though before going to bed, I watch a couple of episodes of “Suits” on […]
Every year without a fail, I get depressed on New Year’s Day. I don’t really know why, but no matter where I am or how wonderful I had spent the previous night, this has been my routine. I guess I get sad when things are over and ‘a year’ may be one of those things. […]
I love writing in my new blog but I am in the midst of trying to finish my master’s classes this semester that I barely have any free time. Hopefully when February rolls around I will be done with classes and will start my thesis, hoping that might give me a bit more free time […]