Artichoke Borani

(Enginar Borani)

Ingredients:
4-5 medium-sized Artichokes, cleaned; cut in medium size - both hearts and bottoms
1 cup water + juice of half a lemon
1 small onion, sliced
5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2-3 tbsp bulgur or rice, washed
Salt

Garnish:
Dill, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil

Garlic-Yogurt Sauce:
1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
1 garlic clove, mashed with salt

Directions:
Leave the cleaned artichokes in the water & lemon juice mixture to prevent discoloration.

In a medium-sized pot, sauté the onion with salt and olive oil. Place the artichokes, bulgur and the water with lemon juice in it. The water should cover the artichokes. Cover and cook at medium-low heat until the artichokes are tender.

Let them cool down first. Then transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle them with more olive oil and garnish them with dill. Serve chilled or at room temperature with Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

Figs Cooked in Milk

(Sütlü Yemiş - Aydın - Aegean Region)

Ingredients:
250g (1⁄2 lb) dried Turkish figs, wash, soak in hot water for about 15 minutes, drain and cut off the stems
1 cup milk
1 cup 2% cream
1⁄2 cup sugar

Garnish:
1⁄4 cup walnuts, crumbled
Cinnamon, optional

Directions:
Cut the figs into bite size. Place the sugar, milk and cream in a large pot and stir at medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. When the milk is warm, add the figs and cook until soft.

Serve warm or chilled with crumbled walnuts and cinnamon.

Abant Kebap

(Abant Kebabı - Bolu - Black Sea Region)

Ingredients:
4 medium-sized eggplants
1⁄2 cup sunflower oil
1 cup hot water mixed with 1 tbsp crushed tomatoes

Filling:
~300g lamb, in cubes
1 cup water, warm (to cook the lamb)
1 small onion, sliced
8-10 medium-sized mushrooms, cleaned, sliced
1 medium-sized tomato, peeled, diced
1 medium-sized carrot, peeled, sliced
1⁄3 cup celery root (celeriac), peeled, diced, keep in water with lemon juice for about 10 minutes)
1⁄3 cup sweet peas, frozen
1-2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 Bay leaf
Salt
Pepper
1 tbsp crushed tomatoes, canned
3⁄4 cup hot water

Garnish:
Mozzarella cheese, grated

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 500° F (260° C).

Peel alternating strips of skin lengthwise as seen in the picture for each eggplant. Sprinkle salt on top and put aside for about 20 minutes. Squeeze, and dry them with a paper towel. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry all around until the whole surface is nicely colored. Cut a slit in each eggplant and scoop out of the hard seeds if there are any, making sure they don't fall apart. Place them in an oven-proof dish.

Cook the lamb cubes in their own juice in a medium-sized pot. Add 1 cup of hot water and the onions. Cover and cook at low-heat until the lamb pieces are tender. Add the rest of the ingredients, cook until the vegetables are tender. Remove and discard the Bay leaf.

Using a spoon, fill the eggplants equally with the filling. Sprinkle the cheese all over the tops. Pour 1 cup of hot water mixed with 1 tbsp crushed tomatoes into the dish from the side.

Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). Place on the middle rack and cook for about 30 minutes. If necessary, add a little more hot water.

Makes 4 servings.