Experience The Food Side Of Istanbul
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. […]
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. […]
Hello! I am Banu. I am a culinary expert and aspired food writer.
Welcome to my blog!
One of my favorite cheese shops @cankurtarangida has been serving some of highest quality Turkish cheeses along with sucuk and pastırma.
If you are in the area make sure to ask for a tasting plate of various cheese and meats.
#spooninmypocket #istanbulfoodtours #cheeseshop #istanbulfinds #spicemarket #egyptianbazaaristanbul
If you get overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the Spice Market area, you can find little peace and quiet in Beta Han (the entrance is near the Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi corner store) and enjoy a cup of frothy Turkish coffee.
#spooninmypocket #egyptianbazaaristanbul #spicemarket #betahan #turkishcoffeebreak
If you go lokum (Turkish delight) shopping in the Spice Market you will be amazed at the different types now available from traditional to new generation with all types of flavors and fillings.
What is your favorite type/flavor of Turkish delight?
#spooninmypocket #turkishdelight #spicemarket #lokum
This is the secret to making perfectly cooked dolmas, it is called “dolma taşı” in Turkish. Once you have a pot full of wrapped and rolled leaves (grape leaves, cabbage leaves, Swiss chard leaves etc.) then you place this over the dolmas like a lid inside the pot and it prevents the leaves from unravelling and the fillings to stroll around the pot freely😁
You can find these in many of the shops located on Tahtakale street near the Spice Market.
#spooninmypocket #dolmataşı #dolma #stuffedgrapeleaves #turkishcooking #usefulkitchengadgets #cookingsecrets #spicemarket
Who is looking forward to the fig season??? Lets see show of hands✋
#spooninmypocket #figseason
“Açma” is a thing of beauty.
This savory pastry is soft, flaky and buttery. Almost like eating a cloud.
🥄🥄🥄
I do love a good “açma” especially when it is done with the right technique of buttering the dough and spreading it on a preferably marble surface and strechting by hand or by flapping it against the marble surface. Then the dough is buttered further and rolled into a rope form, two ends are brought together while twisting, giving its unique twisted ring form.
🥄🥄🥄
Some of my favorite places that sell a good “açma” are:
Çifte Fırın in Üsküdar
Hacı Bekir in Eminönü
Beyaz Fırın in Kadıköy
But you can find this pastry in all the bakeries as well as in the red street carts that sell simit.
🥄🥄🥄
I also do think that “açma” makes for a great sandwich bread. So usually I eat mine filled with essentials of a typical Turkish breakfast. So the 2nd photo is my “mini Turkish breakfast” açma sandwich. Filled with white cheese, tomatoes, scrambled eggs and parsley.
Great for a Sunday breakfast😋
#spooninmypocket #açma #breakfastsandwich #turkishbreakfast #sundaybreakfast #getcreative #bestpastries #savorybread #sandwichsunday #sandwichbread #sandwichgram
Some of my favorite mezes from a wonderful dinner at @karakoy.lokantasi
Smoked eggplant salad, muhammara, marinated raw seabass, purslane in yogurt and a spring salad with fava beans.
#spooninmypocket #mezenight #istanbul #karaköy
When life throws you 🌶gochujang🌶you make creamy gochujang pasta…
Unexpectedly it was really smooth and tasty with subtle spiciness and creaminess🥄
#spooninmypocket #gochujangpasta #unexpectedflavors #thursdaynightdinner #easydinner #comfortfood
Weekend can only mean one thing…time to indulge in that special breakfast that you’ve been craving.
This specific breakfast is regional Erzincan style, a city that is located near the eastern part of Anatolia.
And you can have it right here in İstanbul at #erzincanyılmaztandırevi in Kurtuluş district.
#spooninmypocket #turkishbreakfast #erzincan #weekend #saturdayvibes #enjoylife #breakfastmakeshappy