Shelled Fava Beans in Olive Oil

(Zeytinyagli Ic Bakla)

Ingredients:
1⁄3 cup fresh fava beans, shelled*
50ml (scant 1⁄4 cup) extra virgin olive oil (half for cooking, half for after cooking)
1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 small carrot, peeled, chopped
1⁄4 cup Bell peppers, chopped
11⁄2 cups warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt

Garnish:
Fresh dill, chopped

Directions:
Heat up the garlic and olive oil in a medium-sized pot. When the smell of the garlic comes out, add the remaining ingredients and stir. Cover halfway with the lid and cook at low-medium heat until the vegetables are tender.

Let it cool down in the pot. Then, place on a serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil.

Garnish with dill. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

*Remove the beans from the big pods. Peel off the outer shells using a small knife.

Watercress Stir-Fry

(Su Teresi Kavurmasi)

Ingredients:
~250g (about 1⁄2 lb) watercress, washed, drained, cut in medium-sized pieces
3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small-sized red Bell pepper, sliced
Salt
Pepper

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

Directions:
In a medium-sized pot, sauté the onion with the olive oil. Add the red bell peppers and continue to sauté for a few more minutes. Add the watercress, salt and pepper and stir. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender. Drizzle them with more olive oil. Serve chilled or at room temperature with Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

Benefits of Watercress:
This water-loving herb contains a volatile mustard oil and has pungent tasting leaves. Tiny white flowers are produced.

The leaves and shoots are used. It is a pungent bitter herb which helps to remove toxins, boosts digestion, etc.

Goat Cheese Seasoned with Roasted Sesame Seeds

(Kavrulmus Susamli Keci Peyniri)

Directions:
Sprinkle the goat cheese with roasted sesame seeds, wild thyme and sumac. Drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil. Goes well with cucumbers, tomatoes, black and green olives...

It is a perfect breakfast but also can be served with Turkish bread and freshly-brewed Turkish tea at any time of the day.