Daily Menu
Creamy Spinach and Vermicelli Soup with Yogurt
A comforting Anatolian soup featuring fresh spinach, toasted vermicelli, and a tangy yogurt base finished with a paprika-butter drizzle. Light yet satisfying, perfect for spring.

Ingredients
- 300 g fresh spinach
- 50 g vermicelli pasta
- 200 g plain yogurt
- 15 g all-purpose flour
- 1000 ml chicken broth
- 40 g butter
- 1 piece egg yolk
- 5 g dried mint
- 5 g paprika
How to Make
- Wash the spinach thoroughly and chop it roughly into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot, melt half the butter over medium heat and toast the vermicelli until golden brown, stirring constantly for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil, then add the chopped spinach and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, flour, and egg yolk until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Slowly ladle about 1 cup of hot soup into the yogurt mixture while whisking constantly to temper it.
- Pour the tempered yogurt mixture back into the pot while stirring continuously, and cook on low heat for 5 minutes without boiling.
- In a small pan, melt the remaining butter and add the paprika and dried mint, heating for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Serve the soup hot in bowls and drizzle the spiced butter over each serving.
Slow-Braised Beef with Quince and Chestnuts
Tender beef chunks braised low and slow with aromatic spices, sweet quince, and roasted chestnuts in a rich tomato-based sauce. A Central Anatolian specialty that brings together savory and sweet flavors.

Ingredients
- 800 g beef chuck
- 2 pieces quince
- 150 g roasted chestnuts
- 2 pieces onion
- 30 g tomato paste
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 5 pieces allspice berries
- 15 ml honey
- 60 ml olive oil
- 500 ml beef stock
How to Make
- Cut the beef into 3-4 cm cubes and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over high heat and brown the beef cubes on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Dice the onions finely and sauté in the same pot for 5 minutes until softened, then add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes while stirring.
- Return the beef to the pot, add the cinnamon stick, allspice berries, and beef stock, then bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 90 minutes until the beef is tender.
- Meanwhile, peel the quinces, cut into quarters, remove the cores, and slice into thick wedges.
- After 90 minutes, add the quince wedges, chestnuts, and honey to the pot, stir gently, and continue cooking covered for another 30 minutes.
- Check seasoning, remove the cinnamon stick, and serve hot with the sauce spooned over the meat and fruit.
Warm Lentil and Roasted Carrot Salad with Walnuts and Tahini
Earthy green lentils paired with honey-roasted carrots, crunchy walnuts, and fresh herbs, all dressed in a creamy tahini-lemon dressing. A nutritious and colorful salad with Middle Eastern flair.

Ingredients
- 200 g green lentils
- 400 g carrots
- 80 g walnuts
- 60 ml tahini
- 45 ml lemon juice
- 30 g fresh parsley
- 15 g fresh mint
- 3 g cumin
- 20 ml honey
- 60 ml olive oil
How to Make
- Rinse the green lentils and cook in boiling salted water for 20-25 minutes until tender but not mushy, then drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel the carrots and cut them into thick diagonal slices, toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper, then roast for 25-30 minutes until caramelized and tender.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, then roughly chop them.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, and 3-4 tablespoons of water until you get a smooth, pourable dressing, and season with salt.
- Chop the parsley and mint finely.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the warm lentils and roasted carrots while they're still warm.
- Drizzle the tahini dressing over the salad, add the chopped herbs and walnuts, toss gently, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Buttery Orzo Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Black Pepper
Toasted orzo pasta cooked until tender and tossed with golden caramelized onions, melted butter, and a generous amount of cracked black pepper. A simple yet deeply satisfying Turkish side dish.

Ingredients
- 300 g orzo pasta
- 2 pieces onions
- 80 g butter
- 600 ml vegetable broth
- 5 g black pepper
- 8 g salt
How to Make
- Slice the onions into thin half-moons.
- In a large pan, melt half the butter over medium-low heat and add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt.
- Cook the onions slowly for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they're deeply golden and caramelized.
- Meanwhile, in a separate pot, melt the remaining butter over medium heat and add the orzo pasta.
- Toast the orzo, stirring constantly, for 4-5 minutes until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
- Add the vegetable broth to the orzo, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender.
- Fluff the cooked orzo with a fork and fold in the caramelized onions.
- Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper, adjust salt if needed, and serve hot.
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