NEW YEAR, NEW FOODS, NEW DRINKS

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2011, a good time to introduce you to some different, interesting, and all good new foods and drinks we have discovered since being here in Turkey.

 Welcome to the Chocolate Towers....yes, uh-huh, sin in a cup.  But it must be healthy, after all, the cup is full of fresh fruits...bananas, pineapple, strawberries, kiwi...then covered in milk or white chocolate, or both.  But you must make it "the meal" because it could never be "just dessert", it is way too good.

 Salep, is a hot milk beverage made from salep flour.  Salep flour is made from grinding dried tubers of a wild orchid plant.  It is a drink that was popular in Turkey and the Middle East, as well as England and Germany, well before the rise of coffee and tea.  The popularity of Salep in Turkey has led to a decline in the wild orchid population.  As a result, it is illegal to export true salep.  Therefore, many instant salep mixes contain some artificial flavorings.  Salep is mostly sold as an alternative to tea or coffee during the winter months.  It has a slight cinnamon flavor, but as you can see from the photo, it has no color, other than a few specs of cinnamon floating on top.  It is also available in a mild chocolate flavor, but the natural flavor is best.  We were told that it was good to drink near bedtime to help you relax and sleep.  Whatever, it is a good alternative to hot chocolate or chai tea.

Turkey is the second largest tea market in the world.  Drinking tea is a very old tradition in Turkey.  It is usually served hot, aromatic, invigorating and always available, any time, any where.  Other than the traditional Turkish tea (which I find a little too strong for my liking) we have discovered two that we really enjoy.

Turkish Elma Cay (Chai) or Apple Tea, is in global demand as a hot or cold drink.  It is made from black tea leaves, grown in the Black Sea region of Turkey, and enhanced with apple flavor and spices.  Some people add a blend of blackberry leaves, hibiscus, pineapple and lemon, which produce a unique fruit flavored drink.  It is generally served in a clear glass with 2 lumps of sugar.  It is my new favorite drink....I guess the closest thing you could compare it to would be a cross between warmed apple juice and spiced cider.  Ymmmmm!


Ihlamur or Linden tea, is an herbal tea and one of the most popular teas in Turkey.  Ihlamur is made from the flowers of the linden tree, is caffeine free, and usually available during the winter months.  This herbal tea is used to help reduce the effects of coughs and colds and is good to relieve stress and aide in relaxation.  It is a very  mild flavored tea, usually served with a slice of lemon to enhance the flavor.  The locals collect the linden flowers to make their tea, or one can purchase them at the produce markets, but a teabag from the supermarket works just fine.  Unfortunately, when we saw all those loose flowers for sale in the markets, we had no idea what they were, therefore we have no photos of linden flowers...yet.

Pumpkins, available in the winter months, are primarily used for making dessert.  Apparently, years ago, they were eaten as a vegetable as well, but now are basically used for making Kabak Tatlisi or Pumpkin Dessert.

To make, you use a ratio of 1 cup of peeled and chunked pumpkin pieces to 1/2 cup of sugar.  Place the pumpkin pieces in a saucepan.  Pour sugar over pumpkin and let it sit, covered, over night (or all day).  It will release water, therefore no water need be added for cooking.  The next day (or in the evening) add 1 cinnamon stick and 4-5 whole cloves to the pan and cook over medium heat until the pumpkin is soft, approximately 30  minutes.  Let cool.  It is traditionally served with thick cream and crushed walnuts on top.  Some restaurants serve it as a specialty with thickened oxen cream.