Exploring Istanbul: Taksim Square

Taksim Square is a the heart of Istanbul, the perfect place to hang out when we got tired of viewing all museums. It is perfect to appreciate the Turkish culture! It is also plays an important hub for all public transportation in Istanbul. It will not be easy to get lost in Taksim Square as you will see a lot of public transportation in the area. 

There are also lot of things to do in Taksim Square. Tourists can shop, eat traditional Turkish food, drink Turkish coffee and tea, walk and appreciate the diversity of crowd, enjoy free museum, check out the Church. 

Since the half part of the family is Christian, the Turks make it a point to emphasize where the churches are located in Istanbul like we went there solely to visit churches. And to think that I myself, don't even go to church as frequently as any priests would like. I wonder whether will be doing the same to them when they reach Manila... "and here is where the mosque is located..." not that I know any mosques in Manila. 

Anyway, here are the photos of my sister and sister-in-law strolling along Taksim Square: 

posing by the Monument of the Republic (1928) 

look a tram!

Taksim Square by the background

50% Sale for kids clothes! Tita Ayish to the shopping spree!

One of the infamous Turkish stree food: Mussel with Pilav! Awesome!

I think she loved it!

ahhh kokorej!

fried mussels in garlic sauce!

loving the crowd at Taksim Square

posing by the church at Taksim Square

La Santa Messa

inside the church - hope she made a wish! 

posing by the museum - apparently, they feature different artist every week

Galata Tower - at the far end of Taksim Square!

Go ahead and enjoy Taksim Square at Istanbul, Turkey. You will love it for sure! :)



Keep exploring!

Turkish Dishes: Ayvalik Tostu (Toast)

It's a popular toast from Ayvalik - Ayvalik Tostu. For a tourist like me, it's really nothing special. It's a sandwich in a special bread using special hotdogs, chili, cheese and mayonnaise - that's what it is for me. But for the locals, the taste is amazing compared to the normal toasts they make at their home. I am smartly deducting that theory because Turkish don't really like eating out much. But since we had to travel to an island (Ayvalik) to eat this toast, then it must be really special. 

For those of you who are running out of idea on what to pack for lunch for the school kids, this is something new and easy to prepare: special hotdogs, chili, cheese (try mozzarella because it melts) and mayonnaise). Don't forget to toast the bread though - duh, Ayvalik toast! 

Enjoy! 

Ayvalik Tostu - toast from Ayvalik!

It's a big serving of bread!

Alvalik Tostu + Ayran is a good combination apparently

It's not that I didn't like it - I just find it ordinary. The kids loved the toasts and devoured it like crazy or probably they were just starved so much! Ha, mean I am not!

Ayvalik, on the other hand, has some spectacular sights to see!


Afiyet Olsun!

Turkish Dessert: Canakkale Peynir Helvasi

 Canakkale Peynir Helvasi

This dessert is one of the famous dish in Canakkale and Balikesir. Locals usually make this dish and sell in the markets at the weekends,

Since my husband spent 4 years in Canakkale,  it became his favorite dish and he wants everybody to know how to prepare the dish - especially me. Ha!

What you will need: 
 1 kg Cheese unsalted made from Sheep milk
3 egg yolk
750 grams sugar. (that's a lot!)
750 grams semolina

How to prepare: 
Mix 800 grams of cheese , semolina and egg yolk in a big metal container on medium heat and keep stirring until the ingredients are well mixed and melted. Then, add 200 grams  of cheese and sugar after the ingredients turned in goldish color.

Pour all in to a deep tray in order to cook in the oven for 15-20 minute. Dish can be serve warm.

Believe me, this is a really sweet dessert!

Afiyet Olsun!
  

Turkish Dishes: Hunkar Kayigi or Sultan's Boat

What you need:
- 4 zucchinis
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup shredded cheese or kashar 
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1.5 cup milk
- 2 eggs 
- 1/2 chicken breast , boiled and chopped in small chunks
- salt and pepper to taste

How to cook:

1. Put whole zucchinis in salted water and boil for two minutes. Let it cool down.
2. Cut zucchinis to half. Remove seeds inside with spoon.

zucchini halves

      3.  In a separate pot, melt butter. 

      4. Add flour and stir slowly until the flour change its colour to brownish. 

      5. Add the milk slowly. 

      6. Add salt and pepper. 

      7. Stir continuously for 4-5 minutes. 

      8. Add the previously cooked chicken chunks to the mixture. 

      9. Remove the mixture from stove and let the mixture cool down. 

      10. Add the eggs into the mixture. 

       11. Add the mixture in zucchini halves. 

       12. Top with cheese before putting the zucchinis in oven. (Don't forget to pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C.) 

before oven

       13. Remove from oven when the top ingredient turned brown. 

        14. Serve warm.

Sultan's Boat! 

Afiyet Olsun!
  

Turkish Meatball: Kemal Pasha Meatball (Plus Kemal Pasha Dessert)

The best meatball in Turkey is from Bursa! Bursa, 2-hour drive from Istanbul, is famous for this "Kemal Pasha" meatballs (obviously named after Turkey's most iconic leader  - Mustafa Kemal.) It has a unique taste - marinated with the best spices and sauces.

There are hundreds of meatball shops on highway of Istanbul-Izmir. Most of these shops goes way back like 40 years (goodness)! The cooks are usually and the cooks the owner and are very professional on meatball and other local tastes like Kemal Pasha dessert. Ahhh Kemal Pasha dessert is simply divine. This is served with sherbet and topped with nuts. Like the country's history, this dessert is well know for over a hundred years!

We have tasted this glorious meat and dessert last summer, summer of 2011 and we have experienced taste bud sensations like no other. It's really so good, you will forget your name. Really! Okay, it might be an exaggeration but it really is worth a 2-hour drive just to taste Kemal Pasha meatballs!

It was an awesome experience!

we went to one of the meatball shops in Bursa - Meshur!

fresh bread and fresh salad - a little taste of heaven before the actual heaven! 

FRESHNESS GUARANTEED! 

one serving of Kemal Pasha meatball! 

the happiness on the Turk's face is priceless! Obviously, he loved the meatball! 

Okay, she loves the meatball too, she's just being silly! 

Kemal Pasha dessert - BLISS! 

For now, we'll just drool on these photos and maybe get to taste them again next year. 

Afiyet Olsun!

Turkish Dishes: Karni Yarik (Eggplant with Minced Meat)

KARNI YARIK (Whole, Slitted Eggplant with Seasoned Minced Meat Filling) 

(Also, check out our other Turkish Dishes)

KARNI YARIK 

What you need:
- 3 medium  size eggplants
- 1 Onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 cups olive oil
- 2 tea spoon salt
- 1 table spoon black paper


How to cook:

1. Let the eggplants to rest in salty water for about 30 minutes after cutting the shell of the eggplants like strips.
2. While the eggplants are in the water , heat the oil then add the chopped onion,garlic and cook about 5 minutes in medium heat.
3. Mix the minced meat with the other ingredients in the pan. Later on, add  the black pepper and salt.
4. After the meat changed its color , you can place all cooked ingredients in a separate container.
5. After removing eggplants , we need to dry them with paper tissue or towel.
6. With one straight vertical line cut the eggplants into halves.  Next, cook in a frying pan with really hot oil until all sides turned brownish well. Make sure the oil is really hot for the eggplants  otherwise the eggplants can absorb the oil easily.
7. After frying the eggplants , previously cooked ingredients should be added into the each eggplants.
8. Stuffed Eggplants is now ready to be placed in the previously greased oven tray.
9. Place your tray into a hot oven (180 degree) for about 30 to 40 minutes.
10. The dish is now ready to be served. We prefer to serve the dish with garlic yogurt.

Afiyet Olsun!

Can be served with pilav and topped with tomato and garlic

Afiyet Olsun!
 

Turkish Dishes: Okra or Bamya

YAY! Turkish Dishes blog entries are back. *finger crossed for good!** Let's start this again with a healthy (if it's Turkish, it's healthy! - well, almost) dish. Okra.

Okra contains vitamins A and C and is a good source of iron and calcium. It also contains starch, fat, ash, thiamine and riboflavin. 


The world's most beautiful women, Cleopatra of Egypt and Yang Guifei of China loved to eat okra according to the history record. No wonder, Cleopatra and Yang Guifei maintained their beauties.

Hmmmm.. let's eat okra everyday then. You can use this recipe as a start! 

Delectable Okra Dish - must be Turkish! 

 What you will need: 

• 500 gr Bamya or Okra cleaned
• 150 grams cubed beef
• 2 or 3 tomato chopped or tomato paste
  
• 10 cloves of garlic chopped
• half cup of olive oil
• 3/4 cup of lemon juice
• 1 big onion 
• 2 cups of water
• 1 table spoon salt

 What you will need: 

First, chopped onion and garlic. Toss into the hot olive oil until the onions turn to pinkish color. Add the beef. 


After cooking beef for about 5 to 7 minutes , you can add the cleaned okra with water, lemon juice, salt and let the ingredients  cook about 15 to 20 minutes.


The meal can be serve with pilav(rice).

Afiyet Olsun!

 

Traditional Turkish Hamburger: Kizilkayalar

Have you tried the traditional Turkish Hamburger? Should you visit Turkey and happen to shop in Taksim Square why not drop by Kizilkayalar. These popular snack are really delish and a refreshing break from all the healthy food we probably are eating as Turks are known for healthy dishes. Shameless plug --> Come and explore the Turkish Dishes in our page.

The best of it all costs so cheap at 1USD per burger. Mix it with Ayran or Cola, it's a perfect snack or dinner as you wish!

Afiyet Olsun!

Top Ten Tuesdays: Ten Things Turkish!

Top Ten Things Turkish on Top Ten Tuesdays! Gotta love all those Ts and the topic of this post (I hope!)

Guess what, in less than 24 hours, me and my husband are flying again to Istanbul, Turkey. Like what was noted by my colleague, this is my 4th trip to Turkey in less than six months, so I must really love the place!

Well, that is true - I love the place but most importantly the people in it. I love the tradition and the things that are distinctly Turkish! And here are my Top Ten Things Turkish (almost!)

Evil Eye and Turkish Tea

1. Turkish Evil Eye: Of course, the strong belief in the ability to refrain from bad luck is VERY VERY obvious among Turks. You will see all sorts and types of evil eyes and evil eye decor almost EVERYWHERE in Turkey. The most weird thing I've seen (so far) is evil eye underwear design (in a kinky store - and don't ask what I was doing there, still in tourist mode!)

Some of the evil eyes we have are bracelets, rings, earrings (a real jewelry), pot holder, car holder, wall decor, door decor, towels, pots - you get the picture! We even sold evil eyes to our colleagues (still selling!) so we can share its awesome power.

2. Turkish Tea: My husband used to tell me that Turks drink more tea than Brits. I didn't believe him until I was there the first time. They even have street vendors for Turkish Tea in parks, for crying out loud. They serve Turkish Tea in ferry boats, bus and all public places! We went to bazaars and we are offered to have Turkish Tea just by window shopping. And with all biased opinion - Turkish Tea are the best tea I've ever tasted, way better than Earl Tea. (I did say, biased opinion!)

Turkish Viagra

Turkish Delight 

3.  Turkish Delight. Or locally known as LOKUM, Turkish delight is pure and authentic Turkish candy. It comes in a lot of different flavor and sizes. Walk through the Grand Bazaar and you'll be treated with free tastes of Turkish delight. It is mostly sugar so caution with the fat accumulation in your body. I should know. Arrghhh!

4.  Turkish Viagra. Okay to be quite honest, I've only known about this during my last visit three weeks ago. Apparently, it is as popular as Turkish Delight. It's simply a concoction of dried nuts, dried fruit and sugar - well, who knew that Turkish people need viagra? I think it's that Vitamin E content in all those ingredients that can give its aphrodisiac appetite. (Honey, go easy on that dried apricot mixed almond!) 

5. Turkish Coffee. It is popularly known around the world as Turkish Coffee! What the world is missing is the tradition after drinking the Turkish Coffee. You can actually read your fate in your Turkish coffee cup. Yeah, like predicting your future from tea leaves, only in this case, shredded and diluted Turkish coffee beans. I always drink Turkish coffee for this purpose. My in-laws know how to make me feel good with my future. They always make out FISH from my coffee cup which apparently is very lucky! 

6. Turkish Simit. It is a light and flaky bread, baked to a golden brown colored and topped with sesame streets. Most of the time, it is formed into rings but there are braided breads as well. It think it goes well with Turkish Tea especially if you are starving going all around Istanbul or any touristic spots in Turkey. It usually costs 1TL, very cheap, to feed growling stomachs. It tastes like no fast food bread even though it is.

Eating Turkish simit 

7. Turkish Shawarma. Sharwarma did originate from Turkey. And Turkish people know how it should taste like. Any Turk would complain how badly a sharwarma taste like if it is not "Turkish." Sharwarma actually originally came from a Turkish world, çevirme , means "turning." Shawarma is prepared by "turning" the meat a spit while it is being slow-grilled. 

posing beside Turk and Turkish shawarma 

8. Turkish Pie or Pide and Turkish Pizza or Lahmajun. Okay, these are two Turkish dishes but equally popularly in Turkey. In my Pinoy culture, these are they equivalent for a full meal. They can survive without eating rice because of these carbo-loaded meals. Turkish pie is great with (you've guessed it - Turkish Tea) and could be  a stand alone snack or dinner. What Turks normally do is to pre-baked the dough and just bake dough with toppings, - cheese, meat or greens and it is instant meal. 

As for Turkish Pizza, it is like any thin crust-pizza with the toppings, except that it is normally served with parsley and lemon, placed as toppings and rolled before eating. It gives that "healthy" feel since it has veggies. 

Turkish Pie or Pide

Turkish Pizza or Lahmajun

9. Kokorec. My favorite! No trip to Turkey is complete without eating Kokorec. Some tourists are so grossed out with this meal since it's lamb intestines. It is usually served as a sandwich and perceived to be so unhealthy (and dirty!) but hey, I was brought up in country where we eat unfertilized chicken eggs (craving for balut now!) We really like the taste of Kokorec, including Kylie of course! 

YUUMMM - kokorec

Kokorec sandwich

10. Turkish Linen.  Okay, it's almost all of the items in this list are food. Moving on to another trademark - Turkish linens! Not-your-normal-made-in-China linen but Turkish-hand-made-linens. Great quality and great craftmanship. Almost all Turkish bedrooms are like this. Awesome sheets they have indeed (no mockery there - really!) 

Turkish Linen!

Did I miss out important Turkish trademarks? Pretty sure I did as ten is such a few. What are your favorite things that are Turkish? Do tell. 




Keep exploring!

Linking this here: