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Turkish Shortbread Cookies with Pistachio – Fistikli Un Kurabiyesi

Turkish shortbread cookies with pistachio, Fistikli Un Kurabiyesi

This delicious, crumbly shortbread cookies, un kurabiyesi, is a national favouite; my mother would make them for her afternoon tea gatherings, bayrams and special occasions when I was a child. You will find them in our pastanes, patisseries in plain, with almond or sometimes with dried fruits in Turkey. They are delicious, enjoyed with Turkish coffee, Turk kahvesi and tea, cay.

I added coarsely ground (or very finely chopped) pistachios to mine – it is nice to feel the texture and enjoy the taste of pistachios, so take care not to ground them too finely. Turkish pistachios, as referred as green emeralds are packed with flavour and we use nuts liberally in our desserts and sweet treats. They add a delicious, fragrant nutty taste. You can use ground almonds or hazelnuts instead of pistachio too. These fistikli un kurabiyesi is a great hit with my family and friends; I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Turkish Shortbread Cookies with Pistachio – Fistikli Un Kurabiyesi

Author: Ozlem Warren

Recipe type: Shortbread Cookies - Un Kurabiyesi

Cuisine: Turkish cuisine

Serves: 18 cookies

Ingredients

300g/10 ¼ oz plain all-purpose flour, sifted
110g/4oz icing sugar, sifted
90g/3 ¼ oz shelled pistachios, coarsely ground or very finely chopped
250g/9oz unsalted butter
½ tsp baking powder
5ml/1tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Extra icing sugar for dusting
Sprinkle of extra coarsely ground pistachio for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/350F
Coarsely ground the pistachios, with a few pulses in a food processor; take care not to ground too finely, as it’s lovely to feel the texture and enjoy the taste of pistachios.
Sift the flour into a large bowl and set aside. Sift the icing sugar in a separate bowl too.
Put the butter in a large mixing bowl and coarsely slice. Beat using a mixer for 2 – 3 minutes, until smooth and light. Stir in the icing sugar and beat for another 2 minutes, until well combined.
Add the sifted flour, baking powder, pinch of salt and vanilla extract and beat for another 2 minutes, making sure all combined well.
Stir in the coarsely ground pistachio to the mix, beat another minute or two, until all combined and turned into a crumbly dough.
Using your hands, gently combine and turn the mixture into a dough ball. Place in a bowl, cover with cling film and keep in the fridge for 10 minutes. This helps shaping and forming the shortbread cookie balls.
Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Take the dough out of the fridge and pull off walnut sized pieces of dough and gently shape into balls, rolling the dough into round shape with your hands. Each dough ball will be about 3cm / 1.2in in diameter. Place the dough balls on the baking tray, with about 5cm/2in between each dough ball. You will make about 18 dough balls.
Bake the Turkish shortbread cookies, un kurabiyes, in the preheated oven for 15 – 18 minutes, they will be pale golden; try not to overbake, so that they can retain their crumbly texture.
Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool completely. Once cool, sift icing sugar over them and sprinkle a little ground pistachio over when serving. They are delicious aside tea and Turkish coffee. They can be stored in a container with a lid for a good 5-6 days.
Afiyet Olsun.

Hardback copies of Ozlem’s Turkish Table in the USA- with reduced shipping rates!-

We are delighted to share that we now have significantly reduced shipping rates to the USA (approximately 14 USD), for the hardback copies of Ozlem’s Turkish Table, you can order via GB Publishing, at this link.

Signed copies of Ozlem’s Turkish Table and the apron also available at this link.

Our best wishes and Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

Turkish coffee marble cake and Ozlem’s Turkish Table News!

By Ozlem Warren on April 29, 2021 in Cakes and Desserts, Online Turkish Cookery Course, Ozlem’s Turkish Table Cookery Book 0

Turkish coffee marble cake

I love our aromatic Turkish coffee, Turk kahvesi; it is more than a drink for us with its rituals. This is a deliciously fragrant but not overpowering Turkish coffee marble cake, ideal for coffee lovers and anyone who would enjoy a delicious slice of cake aside their favourite drink; it is especially wonderful with tea or coffee aside.

I used Ozerlat UK’s fragrant heritage blend Turkish coffee in this cake, it worked beautifully. If you like to order Turkish coffee or other goods from Ozerlat UK, you can use code OZLEM10 at their check out here to get 10 % discount.

I hope you enjoy this fragrant cake as much as we did, Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

Turkish coffee marble cake and Ozlem's Turkish Table News!

I love our aromatic Turkish coffee; it is more than a drink for us with its rituals. This is a deliciously fragrant but not overpowering Turkish coffee marble cake, ideal for coffee lovers and anyone who would enjoy a delicious slice of cake aside their favourite drink; it is especially wonderful with tea or coffee aside.

Author: Ozlem Warren

Recipe type: Coffee Cake

Cuisine: Turkish cuisine

Ingredients

230g/8 ¼ oz self-raising flour
175g/6oz unsalted butter
3 medium free range eggs, beaten
225g/8oz sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
30ml/2 tbsp (finely ground) Turkish coffee
90ml/3fl oz warm whole milk (to be combined with Turkish coffee)
15ml/1tbsp cocoa powder
30ml/2tbsp whole milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/160C Fan/350F
Grease a loaf baking tin or round 20cm/8in tin (or non-stick fluted cake ring) with unsalted butter.
Combine the ground Turkish coffee with warm milk, stir and make sure Turkish coffee is dissolved and blended well with the milk. Then stir in the coca powder, combine well. Set aside to cool.
Stir in the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric whisk, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and combine well.
Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Fold it gently into the butter, sugar and egg mixture.
Divide the cake batter into two equal portions. Add the 2tbsp whole milk to one portion of the cake batter, stir gently and combine well.
Stir in the combined Turkish coffee, cocoa powder and milk mixture into the other portion of the cake batter. Stir gently and combine well.
Spoon tablespoonfuls of large blobs of the each cake batter into the greased tin, alternating the flavours. Position each spoonful on top of each other to give a rippled effect. Swirl the mixture gently with a skewer or chop stick to give a marble effect.
Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until the cake is springy and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then turn into a serving plate to cool completely before slicing. This cake will keep well for up to 3 days in a cake tin.

4th print run of Ozlem’s Turkish Table arrives!

I am absolutely delighted to share that the 4th print run of my cookery book, Ozlem’s Turkish Table has arrived! This special book has been tribute to my southern Turkish roots and we are thrilled for the global interest for Ozlem’s Turkish Table. Over 8,000 hard back copies already sold and growing; my sincere thanks to all the readers for their continued interest and to GB Publishing and Pinar Foods UK for all their support to spread the word on healthy, delicious Turkish cuisine globally.

Signed copies of Ozlem’s Turkish Table cookery book are 25 % off via GB Publishing at this link and it is delivered worldwide. This lovely apron, made in Turkey with the embroidery of my hometown Antakya’s daphne leaves in front, also available via GB Publishing, at this link; they would make a lovely gift to a foodie or for Mother’s Day.

Gozleme, (Anatolian flatbreads with spinach and cheese), Baked cauliflower with cheese, onion and herbs and Turkish bean salad Zoom Cooking Class

Saturday, May 15th, 2021, 6 pm – 7.45 pm (BST)

Anatolian flat breads with cheese and spinach, Ispanakli Peynirli Gozleme, at our zoom cooking class

I am delighted to be teaching this delicious online Turkish cookery class,on Saturday, May 15th, 2021, 6 pm – 7.45 pm (BST) showcasing our popular street food, Gozleme (Anatolian flatbreadswith cheese and spinach filling), along with Baked cauliflower with herbs, onion and dill (Karnabahar mucveri) and Turkish bean salad with olives, sumac onions and tomatoes, Fasulye Piyazi. Turkish cuisine is healthy and packed with flavour, I hope you can join us to make these delicious dishes at home.

Date: Saturday, May 15th 2021

Time: 6pm- 7.45pm (BST)

Cost: 30 GBP per person

To register for the class, please kindly make the payment of 30 GBP per person via the PayPal button under May 15th class at my Cookery Classes page. The classes tend to sell out quickly therefore early registration is recommended.

Baked cauliflower with red onions, feta and dill, from Ozlem’s Turkish Table; image by Sian Irvine Photography

You will get plenty of ahead of time preparation tips, ideas for substitution and with stories from my homeland. Recording of the class will also be sent to the participants for limited viewing. The class would also make a wonderful gift for a foodie.

Coiled filo pie with zucchini (courgette), cheese and dill – Kol Boregi

By Ozlem Warren on March 23, 2021 in Savory Pastries, Turkish Cooking Classes, Vegetarian recipes 4

I am delighted to share this delicious Coiled / Swirl filo pie with zucchini, dill, cheese and onions, Kol Boregi, as we call in Turkish; it has been a huge hit at my online cookery classes recently. We really enjoyed this filling; there is a lovely natural sweetness from the zucchini and onions with the saltiness from Turkish beyaz peynir (I love Pinar Foods UK’s creamy beyaz peynir) or feta cheese, that works with dill so well. You can also use spinach, sautéed leeks, kale, Swiss chard instead of zucchini/courgettes.

The trick with filo pastry sheets is that they need to be kept under slightly damp towel so they won’t dry out. Take only one sheet at a time to make the coiled shape for this recipe. I have used Jus Roll filo pastry sheets and they worked well.

The milk, egg and olive oil mixture works like a magic to keep the pastry intact while rolling. If the pastry breaks, please don’t worry, you can patch up brushing with the milk, egg and olive oil mixture. Once baked and cooled, you can cut this pastry in portions and freeze in a sealed bag (in one layer). You can also bake it ahead of time and give a gentle reheat at 180C/350F for about 8 minutes.

I am teaching how to make this Vegetarian Coiled Filo Pie, Kol Boregi, at my online (zoom cookery class) on April 17^th; you can register for the class via the PayPal link under April 17^th, if you’d like to join us – classes tend to sell out quickly, so early registration recommended –

I love our savoury pastries and boreks in Turkish cuisine; tray bakes, filo triangles, pogacas, Pide, Flatbreads with zaatar and cheese topping and more included at my cookery book, Ozlem’s Turkish Table, Recipes from My Homeland. Signed copies available at this link and delivered worldwide including the US and Canada. Please kindly note that this Coiled filo pie, Kol Boregi is a new recipe and not included at my current cookery book.

I hope you enjoy this delicious Coiled filo pie, Kol boregi, Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

Coiled filo pie with zucchini (courgette), cheese and dill – Kol Boregi

I am delighted to share this moreish Coiled / Swirl filo pie with zucchini, dill, cheese and onions, Kol Boregi, as we call in Turkish; it has been a huge hit at my online cookery classes recently. We really enjoyed this filling; there is a lovely natural sweetness from the zucchini and onions with the saltiness from Turkish beyaz peynir or feta cheese, that works with dill so well. You can also use spinach, sautéed leeks, kale, Swiss chard instead of zucchini/courgettes.

Author: Ozlem Warren

Recipe type: Vegetarian savoury filo pie

Cuisine: Turkish cuisine

Serves: 6

Ingredients

7 Filo pastry sheets, thawed (I used a packet of Jus Roll filo sheets, they work well)
For the filling:
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large (or 3 medium) zucchini/courgette, grated
1 small bunch of dill, finely chopped
200g/7 oz Turkish beyaz peynir or feta cheese, crumbled
30ml/2tbsp olive oil (to sauté the onions)
5ml/1tsp pul biber or red pepper flakes
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
For the egg, milk and olive oil sauce:
90ml/3fl oz milk
1 free range medium egg, beaten
30ml/2tbsp olive oil
For the topping of the coiled/swirl pie:
1 free range medium egg, beaten
30ml/2tbsp olive oil
30ml/2tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/350F
For the filling, place the grated courgette (zucchini) in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 10 minutes. Using a clean tea towel or sturdy couple of sheets of kitchen paper towel, squeeze out the excess juice (this is an important step, otherwise this excess juice would make the pastry soggy). Place the squeezed zucchini/courgette in a large bowl.
Pour in the 2 tbsp olive oil on wide heavy pan and stir in the chopped onions; gently sauté for 4 minutes, until starting to soften. Stir in the grated zucchini/courgette, gently combine and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat off.
Place the sautéed onions and zucchini in the large mixing bowl. Stir in the crumbled cheese, dill, season with salt, ground black pepper and pul biber. Combine the all ingredients well and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. The filling is ready.
For the milk, egg and olive oil sauce; combine the beaten egg, 2 tbsp olive oil and 90ml/3fl oz milk in a bowl.
Open your thawed filo pastry sheets and gently lay them on a clean surface and cover with a slightly damp towel. To coil the filo, the pastry needs to be kept moist. Only take one sheet at time and keep the rest covered.
Line a round baking dish (with 25cm/10in diameter) with baking paper.
Take 2 filo sheets and lay on top of another on a clean, dry surface. Brush the top sheet with 4 tablespoons of the milk, egg and olive oil mixture. Place a little less (sparing about 1 tbsp filling) than ⅓ of the filling mixture in a line, along the edge near you. Gently roll up into a cylinder. Brush the edge with the milk, egg, olive oil mixture. Starting from one end, wind the filo into a coil and put on the baking dish with the baking paper on. Brush over and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture (this also helps to patch up any broken pastry).
Repeat the same procedure with the next 4 filo pastry sheets, using 2 sheets at a time and a little less than (again, sparing about 1 tbsp filling) ⅓ of the filling each time. Coil each filo cylinder around the previous one to make a larger spiral. Make sure to brush the top and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture.
Fold the last remaining sheet, lengthways and brush the sheet with 2 tablespoons of the egg, milk and olive oil mixture. Place the remaining filling (about 3 tbsp) in a line along the edge near you. Roll up again into a cylinder and coil around the previous one to complete the spiral. Brush the top and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture and patch up any broken pastry.
Combine the beaten egg and 2 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the top of the pie with this mixture, all over, and then sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 - 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
Once cool, slice and serve with the refreshing Shepherd’s Salad or the wholesome Spicy bulgur wheat salad with pomegranate molasses, Kisir, aside.

Ozlem’s Online (zoom) Cookery Classes coming up!

My Simit online cookery class on April 24th; register here to join us

It has been wonderful sharing Turkish recipes with folks all round the globe, at my online zoom cookery classes; many thanks all joined us so far. There are a few lovely classes coming up, including Home made baklava and Leafy greens with pine nuts on April 10th, Vegetarian Coiled Filo Pie, Kol Boregi and Kisir on April 17th and Simit and Traybake kebab on April 24th. You can see the details of my upcoming online classeshere, (including my delicious classes coming up with Milk Street Online Cooking School too). Please kindly register via the PayPal link under each class, if you like to join us. Classes tend to sell out fast so early registration recommended.