Authentic Turkish cuisine is healthy

When one thinks of Turkish food, some might recall last week's
drinking session finishing off with a late night greasy Kebab. That
late night stop is nothing like the culinary delights that one will
experience when visiting Turkey. In fact the Ottoman Empire passed
laws mandating that food should be served fresh and this has been
followed through to now.The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one
of the healthiest in the world. Ingredients that are used in Turkey
are fresh daily with a range of seasonal offerings as the climate is
accommodating to a variety of supplies. Turkish staples include
vegetables, fish and lamb with generous amounts of olive oil. The
diverse climate allows Turkey to grow and produce fresh tomatoes,
olives, melons, peppers, wheat, tea, etc. The surrounding seas are
abundant in fish - as any boat excursion will testify. The grouper
fish makes an excellent dish with a mild but distinct flavour € cross
between a halibut and sea bass.Turkish dishes include selection of
mezze platters; these are quite like Spanish Tapas - including a range
of hot and cold starters, either served on one or several plates.
These include Spicy tomato salsa (Ezme), Carrot with Mint and garlic,
yogurt, cucumber and mint (Haydari), stuffed vegetables (Dolma),
Calamari, Halumi, Tahin. And of course the pita bread does justice to
hummus, and the many colourful pastes of chilli and Tapenade. Turkish
mezze starters are light enough to carry the flavours through and
allow room for a main dish and possibly a dessert of baklava.Having
such a rich olive oil influence on the diet, it is no wonder that
Turkish natives have a low heart attack rate and that their skin is
soft and supple. The freshness of the food ensures that the body is
always well nourished with vitamins. Dishes served near or on the
coast line, such as Kalkan or Oludeniz are primarily based on seafood;
this has been well established by scientists as the healthier choice
of food.Turkey's surrounding crystal clear ocean water and its'
beneficial lifestyle is becoming more acknowledged € resulting in a
sharp increase of the demand for Turkish property for sale. Westerners
are beginning to recognise Turkey as an up and coming preference of
residence. Advancement in hospitality, sided with a healthy lifestyle
and the affordability of property for sale in towns such as Kalkan are
making Turkey the choice of both holiday and retirement destinations.
The coastal towns sport amazing views over the oceans and combined
with the gourmet on offer, it's an easy choice - both for holiday and
long time retirement.The proximity of the sea ensures freshness of
fish and in all the coastal towns, and hillside Kalkan villas are for
sale at very affordable prices - these are half the expense of damp
and tiny European dwellings.Many restaurants will offer an al a carte
menu alongside the fresh catch of the day. The fresh catch is ready
for perusal and choice by weight. There can be no fresher food more
affordable and enriched with essential vitamins then from a Turkish
town.A visit to Kalkan is not complete without a visit to the
Moonlight Terrace and Cafe Bar; Kalamar Yolu no. 9 Kalkan € Antalya.
The Moonlight Terrace offers nourishing authentic Turkish food. The
owner Osman is the epitome of a gracious host. Moonlight pride
themselves on being a small family-run restaurant priding ourselves on
freshly cooked and good quality traditional Turkish food. With the
breathtaking views from our roof-top terrace, you will have a relaxed
and great value meal. Osman's own mother is chef and conjures
delicious authentic Turkish cuisine. Try their Biber Dolma (stuffed
peppers) or perhaps the Karniyak (Aubergine fried and then stuffed
with minced beef, garlic, onion, tomatoes, green pepper and
spices).This restaurant does what it says on the tin € the views over
the bay are spectacular and the food is divine. If you are lucky to
already have a hillside Kalkan villa or plan on investing in one,
Moonlight Terrace will become one of your staples.