ETLİ KURU FASULYE

TURKISH STYLE KIDNEY BEANS

Kuru fasulye is our "national" dish with rice and sliced onion. I think it gives you an idea how much we like it:)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried kidney beans ( soaked over night )
• 1 lb beef cubes
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 jalapeno pepper ( chopped )
• 3 dried chile pepper
• 2 tbs of vegetable oil
• 2 tbs of tomato paste
• 1/2 tbs of red pepper paste
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 1 tsp of black pepper
• salt

In a large pot, take vegetable oil and beef cubes and cover the lid. Cook them on a medium heat around ten minutes. Add chopped onion and pepper. Stir and cook them for five minutes and then add tomato and red pepper paste. Stirring occasionally, cook another five minutes. Drain the kidney beans and add them to the pot with boiling water, black pepper, dried chili pepper, and salt. Give them a quick stir.Turn the heat to low and cook for one hour.
I prefer to cook kidney beans in a pressure cooker. This way it takes less time and energy.

BULGUR PİLAVI

BULGUR PILAF

Bulgur pilaf is a very good alternative to rice.



Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coarse bulgur
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 2 tbs of orzo pasta
• 2 tbs of butter ( or vegetable oil )
• 1/4 tsp of black pepper
• salt

In a medium pot, take butter and orzo pasta and cook it on a medium heat until orzo change its color to light brown. Add bulgur, boiling water, black pepper, and salt into pot and cover the lid. When it starts bubbling, turn the heat low. Cook it until bulgur absorbs all of the water.Turn off the heat. Take the pot in a cool spot and place a paper towel between the pot and the lid. This way, the paper towel absorbs remaining water and pilaf won't be sticky.
Enjoy...

KIYMALI BÖREK

BOREK WITH GROUND BEEF

Borek is another very well known dish in Turkey. Everybody has their favorite one. Fillings are made almost with every vegetable, beef or cheese. Just use your imaginations...

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. fillo dough

Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion
• 1 bunch of parsley
• 2 tbs of vegetable oil
• 1 tsp of black pepper
• salt

Sauce:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of milk

In a medium skillet, cook ground beef with 2 tbs of vegetable oil on a medium heat. When the beef is done add chopped onion in the skillet and cook them together for 5 minutes. Turn of the heat and add chopped parsley, black pepper and salt. Set a side.

In a medium mixing bowl, mix eggs, milk and vegetable oil for sauce.
Divide fillo sheets into two equal parts. Brush bottom and sides of a baking tray ( 13" 17" inches ) with vegetable oil. Lay 2 sheets of fillo at a time, spoon the sauce over entire surface. When you are done with first half, spread the filling all over covering the whole surface. Repeat with second half of fillo sheets, spoon the sauce until it is finished.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake for about 45 minutes or until nicely brown.

When it completely cools down, cut the borek into square shapes.

SOĞAN SALATASI

ONION SALAD

Onion salad is great for barbecue parties.


Ingredients:

• 3 large yellow onions
• 1/2 tbsp of salt (to rub onion )
• 1/4 bunch of parsley
• 1 tbs of sumac
• 1/2 tbs of ground chili pepper
• 1 lemon juice
• salt

Chop parsley. Thinly slice onions. In a big mixing bowl,take onion and 1/2 tbsp of salt, rub onion and salt with your hands until onion gives its juice out. Wash and drain. Squeeze onion to get rid of all the juice. Take them in another large mixing bowl. Add chopped parsley, sumac, salt, and pepper in the bowl. When you are ready to eat, drizzle lemon juice all over.