Casserole of meatballs, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers – Izmir Kofte, my way

Posted by on Jun 9, 2010 in Casseroles and Stews, Uncategorized | 0 comments

This is a popular meatball and vegetable casserole (not only with the children but with the adults too!) that can either be cooked on the stove top or baked in the oven. It makes a complete and hearty main course served with plain white rice or a slice of crusty bread. This is Izmir Kofte my way, as I like to add some more vegetables. You can add as much red pepper flakes as you would like for a spicier flavor. I usually double the recipe and freeze some, as it freezes very well. Serves 4-6Preparation time – 30 minutes Cooking time...

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Karniyarik – Stuffed Eggplants (Aubergines) with ground lamb, tomatoes and onions

Posted by on Jun 2, 2010 in Casseroles and Stews, Uncategorized | 4 comments

This impressive dish is a legacy of the Ottoman Palace kitchens and yet another of the imperial demands for ingenuity concerning the much loved eggplant, aubergine, you will find this dish wherever you go in Turkey! Though traditionally made with ground lamb, you may prepare it with ground beef or have a vegetarian version too. Simply replace the meat with your favorite vegetable (mushrooms, chickpeas work very well), sprinkle some grated cheese over the top and bake it, it turns out to be a delicious alternative. We use a lot of onion and...

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Oven Baked Chicken Casserole with Vegetables Cooked in Tomato Sauce – Firinda Sebzeli Tavuk

Posted by on May 12, 2010 in Casseroles and Stews, Uncategorized | 0 comments

In Turkey, we use a lot of fresh vegetables – usage of frozen vegetable and fruit is minimal. With this abundance, you can create endless casseroles with adding meat or keeping it vegetarian. This recipe appears a lot in our home; it is so easy to make, healthy and very delicious too. You can add or replace your favorite vegetables of the season; peas, eggplants and zucchini work well too. I like to double the recipe and freeze the half, as it freezes so well. You can make it a complete meal with plain rice a side and a dollop of plain...

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Courgette (Zucchini) Casserole with Ground Meat and Vegetables – Etli Kabak Yemegi

Posted by on Apr 23, 2010 in Casseroles and Stews, Uncategorized | 0 comments

This is a lovely, comforting casserole that my mother used to cook for us almost weekly. It is very easy to make, delicious and healthy. I like to serve it with plain rice with a dollop of plain yoghurt by the side. The Lamb lettuce salad with yoghurt and garlic also goes very well with this dish. I usually make it ahead of time during the day and give a gentle reheat before we eat – knowing the dinner is ready in between the school run is a good feeling! This dish also freezes well. Serves 4 -6 Preparation time: 20 minutesCooking time:...

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Turkish Cassoulet – Sausage and White Bean Stew – Sucuklu Kuru Fasulye

Posted by on Apr 13, 2010 in Casseroles and Stews, Uncategorized | 3 comments

This delicious traditional stew is very popular at Turkish homes, and as well as in our traditional restaurants, lokantas. It is lovely when cooked with Pastirma, Turkish Pastrami, dried cured beef with a special spicy coating too. This is the Turkish version of the French Cassoulet, the sausage, meat and white beans stew, though much lighter and easier to prepare. You can replace the sausage here with any other sausage (chorizo works well) or meat of your choice. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat.You can cook this stew ahead of...

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