Turkish Meze

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

All round the Mediterranean, you will discover a fondness for little and lots – generally lots of little things to eat that add up to one great big thing! For instance, the Spanish have made an international favourite of the Tapas, and many cities around the world have specialist tapas restaurants (though the best ones in Spain are often bars rather than restaurants, and this is their bar food!)

Less successful as a speciality is the Turkish Meze – oh, you find small examples in Turkish restaurants, but rarely do you see the great big spread that starts at one end of the dining table and works its way up to the other! There probably are Meze specialist restaurants – there used to be one in the West End of London, though long since closed now. But I think there could be more.

Anyway, here is my quick take on some meze that you can knock up for spring when you dust down the BBQ!

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Eggplant Heaven – Imam Bayildi

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Well, the Imam Fainted. That is what Imam Bayaldi means and certainly, many people find this a heavenly dish. Quite why the Imam Fainted is open to speculation, though it may have been at the cost of all that olive oil! However, it was also the third main dish of my recent family dinner and accompanied the Lamb in a Pot and Porchetta, and everyone looked pretty conscious last I checked.

Imam Bayildi has its origins at the Eastern end of the Mediterranean, and is especially associated with the middle east; though you can find it throughout the region. Like many wonderful dishes it is simplicity itself, relying heavily on the richness of the oil and tomatoes. Aubergines or Egg Plants or Brinjal are like sponges when it comes to liquid and flavours, and this dish takes it to the limit. (more…)