tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20589133183518868222024-02-20T16:39:26.114-05:00Kebab HouseKebab recipesKebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-67420100862155521712011-03-22T07:43:00.002-04:002011-03-22T07:43:00.849-04:003 Cultural Experiences You Cant Miss In Turkey<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font: inherit;" valign="top">Every year, many tourists decide to explore the cultural delights of Turkey. Walks are a fantastic way to see all that the country has to offer, taking you through ancient ruins and bustling towns and along spectacular coastlines. Wherever your walk takes you, there are a few cultural experiences that you simply cannot help but encounter during your time in the country.<br />
<br />
Here are three of the best, which will provide you with experiences youll be recounting to your friends back home for weeks to come.<br />
<br />
Turkish Baths (Hamams)<br />
<br />
Turkish baths, or hamams as they are known locally, are found all over Turkey. Walks are a great way to see the country, but they can leave you tired and in need of some rejuvenation. So what better way to get over your stiff joints than by a trip to a Turkish bath?<br />
<br />
In the hamam you can relax in the warm, steamy rooms and you can even experience a number of different massages. These can include a foam massage, an exfoliating massage and a luxurious oil massage. Hamams are part of the daily routine for many locals, and you may well find you get quite fond of them as well.<br />
<br />
Dont miss out on visiting a hamam when on a walking holiday in Turkey. Walks may be the best way to see the country, but its just as important to treat yourself to a bit of luxury every once in a while.<br />
<br />
Turkish Kebabs<br />
<br />
Turkey is, for some, the home of kebabs and not the kind of kebabs that you are likely to find in some late-night joint in a town centre in England. Turkish kebabs are of the highest quality, and will provide you with a culinary treat to remember long after your trip to Turkey. Walks that lead through any town or city are certain to take you past a restaurant or bar serving kebabs. And even if you dont spot them, just follow your nose; the wonderful spicy aroma wafting out into the street will lead you straight to them.<br />
<br />
Kebabs are different all over the country, with most regions having their own specific style. Whether a Si_ (shish) kebab, Adana kebab or the well-known (but entirely different) Doner kebab, you are going to give your taste buds a treat when you try any kebab in Turkey.<br />
<br />
Turkish Coffee House<br />
<br />
In Turkey, walks will allow you to experience both the countryside and the bustling cities alike. But wherever you decide to go, you will never find yourself far from a coffee house selling strong Turkish coffee.<br />
<br />
Coffee is an important part of daily life for Turkish people. It still plays a role in many rituals involving prayer and marriage, although not as much as it once did. It is made from a fine powder and the resulting drink is much stronger than you may be used to. Cardamom is sometimes added, and the distinctive taste is something you wont forget in a hurry.<br />
<br />
When you head to Turkey, walks of any type will lead you past one of these coffee houses sooner or later. And if you feel yourself getting tired during your walk, there is no better remedy than a shot of hot strong Turkish coffee to restore your energy levels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-66565315500984426312011-03-21T09:22:00.001-04:002011-03-21T09:22:00.539-04:00Kebab Shop Owners Face a ChallengeKebab shop owners across Britain face a challenge when it comes to<br />
creating a menu that works.Often times a menu is thrown together by<br />
copying other local hot food takeaway menus, throwing some ideas down<br />
on some paper and hoping the printing company will perform some sort<br />
of miracle with the result for 100 odd pounds.The last kebab shop<br />
entrepreneur I spoke to side he was only going to do four things on<br />
his menu. He meant four categories i.e. Kebabs, pizzas, curries and<br />
fried fish.This translated into approximately 200 items.How is it<br />
possible to maintain a high standard of quality, build up a repeat<br />
business and run a low cost kitchen with so many items?Only by buying<br />
frozen food, thawing it out and selling it cheap.Ironically many shop<br />
owners are from an Eastern background and will not settle for less<br />
than fresh bread, crisp salads and daysee(authentic) cooking when they<br />
themselves eat at home.Is it possible to run a successful kebab shop<br />
or hot food takeaway with a limited menu?Carefully prepared, fresh and<br />
tasty food will always sell.Badly prepared, frozen and fried food may<br />
destroy a new business, especially in todays economic climate.The key<br />
really is in the menu and respecting the clientele.Think carefully<br />
about the customers needs, use some imagination and preparation in<br />
REAL recipes and offer high quality fare.The challenge is not from<br />
external forces for kebab shop owners, it is from within.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-69356198879663608132011-03-20T09:22:00.001-04:002011-03-20T09:22:00.715-04:00Lamb Shish Kabob Armenian-StyleThis recipe for lamb kufta comes from the Armenian community and shows<br />
off the distinct and flavorful lamb meat in an easy-to-serve shish<br />
kabob. Lamb is a nutritious meat, high in iron, zinc, and B vitamins.<br />
Lambs in the United States free range on grass prairies making lamb<br />
the ultimate in eco-friendly meat as well.Lamb Shish Kebob, serves<br />
8Ingredients 3 pounds of lamb 1 large onion 1/4 cup finely minced<br />
fresh parsley 1/2 cup light olive oil 1 cup red wine 3 cloves of<br />
freshly minced garlic 10-12 large mushrooms 1 large onion (for<br />
skewers) 1 large bell peppermarinate overnightTrim and cube a leg of<br />
lamb into 2 cubes. Save the bones for broth making.Mix together a<br />
marinade of the onion, parsley, olive oil, red wine, and<br />
garlic.Combine the meat and marinade in a glass container. Stir well<br />
to coat the lamb.Cover and refrigerate overnight.SkewersClean 10-12<br />
large mushrooms.Cut 1 large onion and 1 large bell pepper into 10-12<br />
pieces each.Drain the lamb.Set out the onion and pepper, mushrooms,<br />
and meat on a large platter or cutting board. This is your work<br />
surface for putting together the shish kebabs. Alternate the lamb on<br />
the skewer with a pepper, onion, or mushroom so that a vegetable is<br />
between each piece of lamb. Begin and end your skewer with the meat --<br />
it will stay on the skewer better.Grill the shish kebob on your<br />
barbecue or broil in your oven until done. Grill them for 6-7 minutes,<br />
turning several times. Broil them for 3-4 minutes on each side.Salt<br />
immediately.Serve with a side grain such as quinoa and a green salad.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-10310518419840428572011-03-19T00:08:00.001-04:002011-03-19T00:08:00.575-04:00Food From The Middle East'Middle eastern cuisine' is a broad term that encompasses many<br />
different cooking styles from a number of different countries.<br />
Moroccan, Syrian, Greek, Arabian - the various cuisines of the middle<br />
east share a great deal - and have many differences.The food of the<br />
Middle East is a celebration of life. No matter which country, the<br />
staples are the fresh fruits and vegetables that grow in the hills.<br />
The spices and flavorings of Middle Eastern food are those that awaken<br />
the senses, sparkling against the thicker, richer tastes of the main<br />
ingredients. Mints, lemon, garlic, rosemary - all have a fresh,<br />
astringent quality that cleanses the palate and refreshes the taste<br />
buds. Throughout the region, the cuisine varies - but these things<br />
remain the same: fresh ingredients, astringent and piquant spices,<br />
olive oil, and little meat.lebanesethe tiny country - about the size<br />
of Connecticut - is nestled into the shores of the Mediterranean Sea,<br />
at the very crook of the fertile Crescent. Its contributions to the<br />
cuisine of the entire Middle Eastern region of the world are<br />
unmistakable. The flavors that spice the foods of all the surrounding<br />
lands can be found here in abundance - olive oil, lemon, garlic and<br />
mint. Lebanese cuisine features such staples as kibbeh (ground lamb<br />
with bulghur wheat) and tabouleh (parsley, mint and bulghur wheat<br />
salad). The food is simply prepared, with the flavors blending<br />
together into a complex medley of earthy, fruity tastes and<br />
scents.syrianif Syria had contributed nothing else to the world<br />
cuisine but pita bread and hummus, it would still be worthy of note.<br />
There's far more to the cuisine of this small Middle Eastern country,<br />
though. Baba ganoush (pureed eggplant), stuffed olives and figs,<br />
peppers in olive oil - Syrian food celebrates the fruits of the earth<br />
and blends them to bring out the textures and flavors in surprising<br />
ways. Shish kebab and rice pilaf are two of the more well-known<br />
dishes, and while most people think of Greece when they hear baklava,<br />
the Syrian claim that it is based on their own dessert of<br />
batwala.arabianthe Bedouin of the desert once based their diets on<br />
dates and yoghurt with the occasional camel or goat to provide meat.<br />
Over the centuries, the nomadic tribes incorporated spices, meats and<br />
vegetables from other cultures into their cuisine. Today's Arabian<br />
cuisine is a mingling of influences from India, Lebanon and further<br />
west. Lamb is the meat most often used in cooking, and it is prepared<br />
in a number of ways including shish kebab, spit-roasted, or stewed.<br />
The cuisine relies heavily on mint, turmeric, saffron, garlic and<br />
sesame. Rice and kasha are the most commonly consumed grains, and the<br />
spicing is fresh and astringent - meant to awaken and refresh the<br />
palate rather than burn it out.Throughout the Mediterranean Middle<br />
East, the cultures and people have intermingled and carried with them<br />
their foods and traditions of eating. In no other place in the world<br />
can there be found a blending of cultures that has mingled so much -<br />
yet maintained such distinct, national flavors. Healthful, fresh,<br />
delicious and life-enhancing, it's little wonder that the cuisine of<br />
the Middle East is among the most popular with diners the world over.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-9972500878637272892011-03-18T02:08:00.001-04:002011-03-18T02:08:00.316-04:00Chicken Malai Kebab - Indian DishIngredientsThe ingredients for Chicken Malai Kebab are:1. Boneless<br />
chicken cubes --800gms2. Cheddar cheese, grated--60gms/ ¼ cup3.<br />
Coriander leaves, chopped--20gms/4 tsp4. Cornflour -15gms/1table<br />
spoon5. Cream-120ml/ ½ cup6. Egg-17. Garlic paste-35 gms/7 table<br />
spoon8. Ginger paste---45 gms/3 table spoon9. Green chillies, Chopped<br />
fine-8 (add chillies as you require)10. Mace ( javitri ) powder--2.5<br />
gms/ 1/2 table spoon11. Nutmeg ( jaiphal ) powder12. 2.5gms/ ½ table<br />
spoon Oil for basting13. Salt to taste.14. White pepper powder--5 gms/<br />
1 table spoon.Methods:The Steps to cook chicken malai kebab are1.<br />
First Mix the ginger and the garlic pastes, white pepper powder and<br />
salt, then Rub the mixture on to the chicken pieces. Set it aside for<br />
15 minutes.2. Then Beat together the egg, cheese, green chillies,<br />
coriander, cream, mace, nutmeg and cornflour and rub chicken pieces<br />
with the mixture. Keep it aside for three hours.3. String together<br />
chicken pieces on a skewer an inch apart. Roast on a charcoal grill<br />
for five minutes or in a preheated oven at 275 *F for seven minutes.4.<br />
Remove, Hang skewers for five - seven minutes to let excess moisture<br />
drip off. Brush with oil and roast again for three minutes.5. Ready to<br />
serve with any main course.Time: Preparation: Three and half hours<br />
approxCooking: Fifteen minutesTo Serve: Serve as a cocktail snack or<br />
as an accompaniment with the main course.Serve these smooth, creamy<br />
chicken malai kebabs with mildly flavored cheddar cheese, immediately.<br />
This Indian dish can be accompanied with any main course, as it has<br />
spicy and smooth creamy chicken pieces.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-90036133731431147982011-03-17T01:08:00.002-04:002011-03-17T01:08:00.231-04:00Top Notch Grilling RecipesHow do you know if your grilling recipes are top notch? A good<br />
indicator that your grilling recipes are the best around would be if<br />
they cause your friends to have tremors simply by thinking about the<br />
tender, juicy creations that you are cooking up. The thought of<br />
grilling recipes typically conjures incredible visions of over sized<br />
slabs of meat in the form of smoked ribs, spare ribs, lamb chops,<br />
hamburger patties and much more. What makes grilling recipes so fun,<br />
is the fact that there are also many great appetizer recipes which<br />
compliment traditional grilling quite well. For example, you should<br />
be able to use your barbecue or grill to make pizzas, hot and spicy<br />
wings, and a variety of other delicious snacks, even burritos and<br />
fajitas in the right circumstances. The grill is an extremely<br />
versatile and diverse cooking medium, and grilling recipes can<br />
become just as diverse and versatile simply by adding other foods,<br />
additional side dishes, and simply tweaking your grilling recipes<br />
while you cook. If you are looking for a way to spice up your<br />
appetizers more quickly, you should consider blasting your gas grill<br />
to its max temperature, then turning it off and allowing the<br />
appetizers from your grilling recipes to cook immediately. Your food<br />
will cook very quickly this way, but your barbecue will not be burned<br />
in the process. This is especially useful when it comes to grilling<br />
recipes that include cheese, which can wreck havoc on your grill if<br />
you are not prepared. Don€™t throw out any of your cheese-based<br />
grilling recipes, because the cheese will melt to absolute<br />
perfection in all of your recipes on your grill if you follow this<br />
handy tip! Gas grills can be used to cook a variety of different<br />
grilling recipes, including anything that involves appetizers,<br />
steak, turkey and chicken. A full plate of food in a grilling recipe<br />
always contains more than a single solitary barbecued food. You<br />
should quell your hunger with Buffalo wings, kebabs and over sized<br />
spicy sausages. Any grilling recipes that contain chicken, turkey,<br />
steak or a variety of other types of meats and appetizers can easily<br />
be cooked up and enjoyed in the comfort of your own backyard on your<br />
hardworking gas grill. Learning a variety of different grilling<br />
recipes will ensure that you are constantly creating new, incredibly<br />
mouthwatering recipes to share with your friends, family and other<br />
loved ones. For Top Notch Grilling Recipes Click HereKebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-90005800325070825672011-03-16T00:08:00.002-04:002011-03-16T00:08:00.421-04:00Peppered Lamb Kabobs With Tomatillos And EggplantFor the coriander vinaigrette:1/4 cup olive oil3 shallots, finely<br />
diced1 clove of garlic, minced6 tablespoons chicken broth1/4 cup<br />
balsamic vinegar2 teaspoons ground coriander seeds1 teaspoon fresh<br />
parsley, chopped1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped1/2 teaspoon fresh<br />
rosemary, choppedsalt and pepperfor the kebabs:1 small eggplant (about<br />
6 oz), cut into 1-iinch cubessalt1 pound lamb (from the leg) cut into<br />
2-inch cubes1 tablespoon coarsely crushed pink peppercorns1 tablespoon<br />
coarsely crushed black peppercorns4 to 5 slices of lean bacon, cut in<br />
half crosswise3 tomatillos, seeded and quarteredsalt and pepper4<br />
12-inch wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutesoil for brushing<br />
skewersto make the vinaigrette: In a medium sautã© pan, heat oil.<br />
Sautã© shallots and garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add chicken broth,<br />
balsamic vinegar, coriander, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well.<br />
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and set aside for 1<br />
hour to blend flavoursto make the kebabs: Lightly salt cubed eggplant<br />
and place in a colander set over a plate. Set aside for 1 hour to draw<br />
out the bitter juices. Rinse well and place on paper towels to dry.In<br />
a medium bowl, toss cubed lamb with crushed peppercorns. Wrap each<br />
bacon strip around one or two cubes of eggplant until all the eggplant<br />
and bacon is used. Skewer kebabs by alternating crusted lamb, eggplant<br />
with bacon, then tomatillos. Brush skewers lightly with oil and place<br />
in centre of cooking grate. Grill for 6 minutes or until bacon is<br />
fully cooked, turning every 1 1/2 minutes during cooking time.<br />
Meanwhile, warm vinaigrette over low heat. Place kebabs on a platter,<br />
drizzle with warm vinaigrette, and serve with rice pilaf.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-87970424551560717422011-03-15T23:08:00.002-04:002011-03-15T23:08:00.218-04:00150 types of Kebabs at The Great Kabab Factory in HyderabadThe Great Kabab Factory is the signature restaurant of the Radisson<br />
Hotels and Resorts, exclusive to the brand in India. Radisson Hotels<br />
and Resorts, one of the world's leading, full-service global hotel<br />
companies, operates, manages and franchises more than 395 hotels and<br />
resorts in 65 countries. The Great Kabab Factory (TGKF) started on<br />
November 10th, 2008 in Hyderabad, India. Ever since its inception in<br />
1988, TGKF has graduated to being a classy restaurant chain branded<br />
and managed by the prestigious Radisson Hospitality Group.The Great<br />
Kabab Factory is located centrally at Road No. 12, Banjara Hills in<br />
Hyderabad, India. The restaurant has an unfussy dã©cor of dark wood,<br />
orange and deep blue, with copper utensils and uncluttered tabletops.<br />
A display kitchen, glass-fronted and neat, occupies the far end of the<br />
restaurant. Aptly named, the factory churns out 150 types of kebabs.<br />
Made and served in imaginative ways, you can eat as many as you want<br />
for a set price. The novelty of the restaurant is its unique concept<br />
and it is already a big draw among food connoisseurs.The Great Kabab<br />
Factory (TGKF) has a prix fixe menu that offers Tandoori and Barbequed<br />
food. Here you can get a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian<br />
kababs apart from roti, dal and biryani. The restaurant is open from<br />
12 PM to 11 PM and also serves liquor. The Shahi Gilaawat or Galouti<br />
Kebab is the in-house specialty. Patthar Kebabs, grilled on stone, are<br />
worth a try too. You can also try saffron-flavored Sheermil, which has<br />
a mild sweet taste to it and Bakherkhani Roti, flavored with nuts and<br />
fennel. In Dals, Panchmahal (Benaras style), is a specialty.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-85546709006283212702011-03-14T22:08:00.002-04:002011-03-14T22:08:00.213-04:00Easy to Follow and Quick Healthy RecipesMany of us are health conscious. We only eat grilled food or<br />
vegetables. There are many quick recipes you can follow using these<br />
ingredients.There are already lots of easy to follow recipes you can<br />
gather from different sources. Whether you are a vegetarian, meat or<br />
seafood lover, there are lots of easy to do recipes that you can make<br />
for yourself and your family. These can be very healthier alternatives<br />
too. It depends on the recipe that you choose.Grilled foods are very<br />
popular among the health conscious. It is any food cooked without oil.<br />
Instead, it is smoked to tenderize the meat. An example is a barbecue<br />
which is also the all-time favorite grilled dish. Meat is lined up in<br />
a stick and placed under fire or smoke. The heat slowly cooks the<br />
food.Other kinds of grilled foods are steaks, kebabs, sea-foods or<br />
vegetables. Here are some principles of grilling.Remember that there<br />
is only one portion of a meat or fish good for grilling. But this rule<br />
has an exception when it comes to the chateaubriand. And choose meat<br />
of high quality. Use only the prime cuts as much as possible.It is<br />
best served right after taking it out of the grill so as not to lose<br />
the juicy flavors. It is also recommended to first preheat the food<br />
before grilling. Check the charcoals to make sure it is emitting just<br />
the right amount of heat to avoid burning or overcooking. Natural<br />
juices are lost with overcooking. The meat then ends up dry.Avoid<br />
sticking by putting a little oil in the grill. It may be possible that<br />
you pass the meat to be grilled in the clean cooking oil. When you<br />
start cooking, use steak tongs to turn the meat.For fishes, it must be<br />
floured, oiled and seasoned. If you are grilling both meat and fish at<br />
the same time, separate a clean area for the fish so that the flavors<br />
will not get mixed. Clean the grill to avoid burnt residue. The usual<br />
grilled foods are seasoned after being sealed.These are just the<br />
basics of grilling. You can also deviate a little depending on what<br />
you think will make your cooking more delicious. Vegetables and<br />
seafood are easy to grill and make healthy additions to your meat and<br />
fishes.Vegetable recipes are also becoming prevalent now as many<br />
people are turning vegetarians. These are healthy alternatives usually<br />
grown naturally. These leafy greens may be used in salads, soups, or<br />
even as a main dish in itself. It requires little time to cook. Some<br />
people prefer veggies to be half-cooked only because most nutrients<br />
are lost in heat.This kind of food option is very low in cholesterol.<br />
Vegetarians are not prone to any serious digestive problems or colon<br />
cancer. Their body is able to get all the vital nutrients even without<br />
meat.There are four types of vegetarian people. These are the true<br />
vegetarian, lacto vegetarian, ovo vegetarian and the pesco vegetarian.<br />
The true vegetarian eats only vegetables. They eat no meat or fish,<br />
not even processed foods. The lacto vegetarian includes dairy product<br />
in their diets. The ovo vegetarian also eats eggs. The pesco<br />
vegetarian eats non red meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.There are<br />
many easy to do recipes that fit these different diets. An egg for<br />
example has many different types of cooking. To make your dish<br />
healthier, do not use oil in cooking your egg. You could steam or cook<br />
it in a microwave.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-84915171377340627902011-03-13T21:08:00.002-04:002011-03-13T21:08:00.273-04:00Barbecue Styles - The TandoorProbably the most universal method of cooking, the barbecue is found<br />
in regional variations all over the world. In India, Turkey, Iran,<br />
Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Balkans, Central Asia, Burma, and<br />
Bangladesh, it flourishes in the form of the tandoor. In these parts<br />
of the world, the tandoor is the accepted form of grilling. The term<br />
tandoor is used to describe both the cylindrical clay oven used for<br />
cooking and baking and the method of cooking itself.The tandoor is<br />
said to have traveled to Central Asia and the Middle East along with<br />
the Roma or Romani people, also known to the Western world as Gypsies.<br />
Archaeological evidence points to the existence of the tandoor in the<br />
ancient sites of Harappa and Mohenjo daro dating as far back as 3000<br />
B.C. The popularity of the tandoor in India continued through the<br />
periods of Muslim rule in South Asia till date when the chicken tikka<br />
masala reigns supreme in restaurants over the world.The heat for the<br />
tandoor is traditionally generated by a charcoal or wooden fire<br />
burning within the tandoor itself. Temperatures within the tandoor can<br />
approach up to 480°C (900°F) and it is not unusual for them to remain<br />
lit for long periods to maintain the high temperature.The typical<br />
foods cooked in the tandoor are certain types of Iranian, Afghan,<br />
Pakistani, and Indian dishes such as the tandoori chicken, chicken<br />
tikka, and breads such as tandoori roti and naan. The chicken tikka is<br />
a South Asian dish made by grilling small pieces of chicken which have<br />
been marinated with spices and yoghurt. It is traditionally boneless<br />
and cooked on the tandoor in skewers. It could be eaten like a kebab<br />
with green coriander chutney or could be used to prepare the curry<br />
chicken tikka masala.The other favorite, tandoori chicken is a roasted<br />
delicacy that originated in North Western India. It later became a<br />
popular Punjabi dish during the time of the Mughals in Central and<br />
Southern Asia and remains popular in that area till date. The chicken<br />
is marinated in yoghurt seasoned with typically Indian spices such as<br />
garam masala, ginger, garlic, cumin, peppers, and turmeric for the red<br />
color. Cooked traditionally in the clay oven, it can also be done on a<br />
grill.Like the barbecue itself, the journey of the tandoor continues<br />
unabated, with Pakistani and Indian restaurants serving up tandoori<br />
delicacies to countless guests all over the world. The tandoori<br />
repertoire has gone on to include all kinds of meats, seafood,<br />
poultry, vegetables, and even fruits and cheeses and its popularity<br />
continues to increase manifold everyday.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-83873032795307733132011-03-12T20:08:00.002-05:002011-03-12T20:08:00.503-05:00Istanbul Has Aroused the Curiosity of Traveler, Straddles the Continents of Europe and AsiaSteeped in a rich and colourful history, the city of Istanbul,<br />
Turkey's largest, straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. It is<br />
here that towering minarets, as if in a fabled tale of the Arabian<br />
Nights, soar majestically into the skies, while imposing mosques,<br />
ancient castles and lavish palaces enhance the city's undulating<br />
skyline. Historically, Istanbul dates back for more than 2000 years,<br />
though the earliest of Turkey's inhabitants, the Catal Hoyuk have been<br />
known to exist long before that. Founded by a seafaring tribe from<br />
Megara in about 650 B.C., the city was named Byzantium. It was Emperor<br />
Constantine who built and renamed the city, dedicating the New Rome of<br />
Constantinople and moving the centre of the Roman Empire from Italian<br />
shores to what is now Istanbul. As Constantinople, the city flourished<br />
from 330 to 1453 A.D. What followed next was the birth of the Ottoman<br />
Empire and the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II. Constantinople<br />
was to be no more. The new city was proclaimed Istanbul and served as<br />
the capital of Turkey till 1922, when the seat of the government was<br />
moved to Ankara. Istanbul has its fill of contrasts which blend the<br />
old and the new. A metropolis of teeming avenues give way to old<br />
cobbled stone alleys and quaint wooden villas. High-rise hotels,<br />
elegant restaurants and casinos exude a cosmopolitant air, providing<br />
the comforts for pleasure seekers, while rustic coffee shops serve<br />
strong freshly-brewed Turkish coffee and hot cay (tea) in tiny glasses<br />
on plates and vendors carve strips of doner kebabs for a passer-by or<br />
two. Istanbul is sited on both sides of the scenic strait of the<br />
Bosphorus, linking the East and the West. Interestingly, it is the<br />
Western or European half of the city which houses its magnificent<br />
attractions. A comprehensive tour of this treasure trove of Turkish<br />
delights would more often than not begin in the old city, the land<br />
lodged between the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Musts on any<br />
discovery itinerary would include the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Saint<br />
Sophia, the Mosque of Sulaiman the Magnificent, the second-century<br />
Hippodrome, site of ancient chariot races, the Topkapi Palace and its<br />
Harem, the Grand Bazaar, and the somewhat eerie Yerebatan Cistern<br />
Basilica, an underground palace housing large Corinthian columns.<br />
Equally captivating are the Kariye Museum, the Archaelogical Museum,<br />
the Dolmabahce Palace as well as the European and Anatolian<br />
fortresses. Revered as a masterpiece in the Islamic world, the Sultan<br />
Ahmet Mosque mesmerises visitors with specimens of classical Turkish<br />
art and is also known as the Blue Mosque by virtue of the dominance of<br />
more than 20,000 handmade blue Iznik ceramic tiles used in its<br />
interior. Easily distinguished by six minarets (the only mosque in the<br />
world to have this number), this huge mosque houses amazing<br />
stained-glass windows, a beautiful central cupola 23.5 metres in<br />
diameter, a marble minber (pulpit) and mural inscriptions featuring<br />
verses of the Koran. A short walk from the Blue Mosque brings you face<br />
to face with Saint Sophia, an ancient basilica reputed to be one of<br />
the finest examples of architecture of all time. Truly engaging, Saint<br />
Sophia features a big dome that rises 50 metres high, numerous mosaic<br />
Christian murals, Byzantine columns and priceless artifacts. When the<br />
Turks conquered Istanbul, Saint Sophia was converted into a mosque<br />
which explains the presence of several Islamic ornaments. After<br />
serving as a place of Christian worship for 916 years and as a mosque<br />
for 477, Saint Sophia was made a museum, to be admired by visitors of<br />
any race and creed. Deemed as one of the most splendid mosques in<br />
Istanbul, the Mosque of Sulaiman the Magnificent is a teutonic beauty<br />
built in the mid 1500s. Four minarets frame an astonishing huge dome.<br />
Walls are adorned with Turkish calligraphy while stained-glass windows<br />
depicting regional motifs grace the area of the mihrab (prayer niche).<br />
The most striking monument is the Topkapi Palace, the oldest and<br />
largest of its kind in the world. Nestled where the acropolis of<br />
Byzantium once stood, the 700,000 sq metres palace overlooks the<br />
Golden Horn, Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara. You'll need more than just<br />
several hours to scrutinise the remarkable collection of Chinese and<br />
Japanese porcelain, European chinaware, glassware and silverware on<br />
display. The palace also boasts a fine exhibition of imperial costumes<br />
and a superb collection of treasures that run the gamut from<br />
jewel-studded helmets and objects dart to the famous 18th century<br />
Topkapi dagger festooned with four large eye-catching emeralds and<br />
gleaming diamonds. Another showpiece, the 86-carat pear-shaped<br />
Spoonmaker's Diamond, regarded as among the world's largest, is<br />
embraced by two rows of 49 brilliant-cut diamonds embedded in gold.<br />
The diamond, as legend denotes, draws its origin from its sale by a<br />
poor spoonmaker, who unaware of its value traded this gem for a few<br />
mere wooden spoons. Made up of 400 rooms, the Topkapi Harem provided<br />
the living quarters of the mother, sisters, wives, concubines and<br />
children of the Ottoman sultans. On strolling through the corridors<br />
and halls of the Harem, one can feast one's eyes on the luxury of this<br />
place. For travelers with time on their hands, a visit to Chora and<br />
its Kariye Museum is certain to enthrall. Located outside the city<br />
centre, this small Roman church is the home of outstanding Byzantine<br />
frescoes. Yet another interesting option is a tour of the Shrine of<br />
Eyub Ensari, the standard bearer of Prophet Mohamed. Old cemetries on<br />
a hill are sited near this Shrine which draws thousands of pilgrims.<br />
An uphill climb through these cemetries takes you to the famous Pierre<br />
Loti, a cosy cafe unveiling engaging panoramas of the Golden Horn.<br />
Like a typical tourist who enjoys a bird's eye view of the city, I<br />
looked for a night-time alternative to Pierre Loti, as walking through<br />
a cemetry in the gloom and bleak of winter was surely nobody's idea of<br />
a romantic evening. The best night view I found was offered by a<br />
roof-top restaurant, aptly named Panorama at the Etap Marmara Hotel in<br />
Taksim Square. From here, sans the smog of Istanbul's pollution made<br />
visible by day, the view of the old city basking in the moonlight, its<br />
minarets beguiling and aglow, was a treat one will never forget.<br />
Travelers, whether on a budget or otherwise, will tell you that it's<br />
near impossible to avoid picking up a souvenir or two. Ethnic buys in<br />
Istanbul include Turkish carpets, woven kilims, leather and suede<br />
goods, hand-painted (predominately in shades of blue) tiles,<br />
wall-hanging plates and crockery, silverware, brassware, hand-beaten<br />
copper as well as onyx items, embroidered bags, jewellery, and pipes<br />
intricately carved out of meerschaum stone.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-83078701684877987342011-03-11T19:08:00.002-05:002011-03-11T19:08:00.349-05:00Turkish Kebab - The Great Nutritious FoodMany people are recently interested to consume kebab and even include<br />
such kind of food in their daily menu. However, some people claim that<br />
Turkish kebab is the most delicious one to choose. What about you? Do<br />
you like such food too? The following explanation will tell you more<br />
about this food.Actually, people all over the world are more familiar<br />
with Turkish kebab rather than the ones from any Middle East<br />
countries. In a simple explanation, we can define kebab as a wide<br />
variety of meat dishes originating in southwest and south Asia. It<br />
consists of bread, meat, salad and dressing. There are several<br />
different ways of serving this food, including on plates, in<br />
sandwiches, and in bowls.What about the Turkish kebab itself?<br />
Commonly, the traditional meat for kebab is lamb, but depending on<br />
local tastes and dietary restrictions. Recently, there are many<br />
different kinds of meat for kebab, such as beef, goat, chicken, pork,<br />
fish and seafood. You can make such food as your daily menu due to the<br />
fact that it contains a lot of nutrition which are very helpful for<br />
human health.Definitely, the great benefits of this food will be<br />
gained if you take it in an appropriate serving. The vegetables, meat,<br />
bread, sauce, mayonnaise, egg and cheese are the great nutritious<br />
ingredients to let you enjoy the great healthy life. What do you think<br />
about it? The most important thing about keeping your health is that<br />
you are not only required to keep the balance nutrition, but also<br />
doing exercise.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-8199859026896179042011-03-10T18:08:00.002-05:002011-03-10T18:08:00.719-05:00Overview of Traditional Turkish Cuisine for Prospective TravelersDue to the great extent of the Ottoman Empire reaching from Europe to<br />
Africa and Middle East until a century ago, the traditional cuisine<br />
today still carries a touch of both the western and eastern cuisines.<br />
Most of the traditional food can be classified as Mediterranean and<br />
some as Middle Eastern. The Turkish cuisine today is considered to be<br />
one of the diverse cuisines in the world of culinary. Breakfast: If<br />
you are staying in a hotel that is serving traditional Turkish<br />
breakfast, you can expect to be served feta cheese, sliced tomatoes,<br />
green and black olives, sour cherry and strawberry jam, scrambled<br />
eggs, meat salami, soujuk (a kind of pepperoni), fresh fruits, honey<br />
and yogurt. Besides these you will be served with many types of white<br />
bread and Croissant type pastries. Turks accept the breakfast to the<br />
king of meals and they choose to treat their guests like champs. You<br />
will leave your hotel ready to take a long walk with enough energy<br />
only from the breakfast you just had. Other Traditional Food: Kebabs<br />
are very popular throughout the country although there are various<br />
ways it can be served. Yogurt kebab is very popular since Turks<br />
usually tend to mix any kind of food with yogurt, some examples<br />
include rice or pasta. Iskender Kebab which originated around Bursa<br />
also includes yogurt but it is mostly made up of thinly sliced gyro<br />
served over cubicles of pide (white bread) topped with tomato sauce<br />
and has the yogurt served on the side of the plate. Manti is another<br />
Turkish dish that is being served with yogurt; it is more a kind of<br />
tortellini filled with meat. Doner is the famous 'gyro' which is<br />
usually lamp meat cut into very thin slices... The infamous shish<br />
kebab would be the cubicles of meat and other vegetables on a skewer<br />
and again the favorite choice of meat of locals happens to be lamb<br />
meat. Chicken is another but a healthier option that can be served the<br />
same way as these meat kebabs. Since the country is covered by water<br />
on three sides, seafood is a major part of the traditional cuisine.<br />
Most popular seafood include shrimp, calamari or fishes such as Lufer<br />
(bluefish), palamut (bonito), levrek (seabass), kalkan (turbot), kefal<br />
(grey mullet) or hamsi which is the favorite from the Black Sea<br />
region. In Istanbul seaside. It is possible can run into street<br />
vendors that sell grilled fish in white bread just like a sandwich.<br />
All traditional dishes can be expected to be served with spices such<br />
as garlic, cumin, crushed red peppers, oregano or mint. Salad<br />
dressings are usually a combination of fresh squeezed lemon juice and<br />
vegetable oil. Tea and coffee are widely consumed, especially after<br />
and between meals. Turkish coffee is muddy on the bottom and is very<br />
strong. It is served in traditional cups which are shorter and smaller<br />
than usual mugs and they all have little handles. Some popular deserts<br />
include baklava which is a pastry that has either nuts or pistachio<br />
mixed in it. Turkish Delight (lokums) also are usually made up of rose<br />
water and are covered with sugar. They usually include crushed nuts in<br />
them. Food throughout the country is usually prepared with the utmost<br />
care and is very clean. Most of the traditional food is prepared with<br />
more attention given to taste rather than nutrition and some<br />
dieticians may not classify them as healthy considering today's diet<br />
standards since most of them contain a lot of fats or carbs. Some<br />
samples of Mezes (tapas): Traditional mezes include but are not<br />
limited to: Humus: mashed chickpeas and tahini spread. A traditional<br />
Middle Eastern tapas. Eggplant Salad: Grilled eggplant puree seasoned<br />
with garlic lemon and olive oil Cacik: thick yogurt and cucumber<br />
seasoned with garlic and fresh dill Yaprak Sarma: hand rolled grape<br />
leaves stuffed with pine nuts, rice and herbs Imam Bayildi (Stuffed<br />
Eggplant): Baby eggplant halves stuffed with fresh tomatoes, parsley<br />
and spices Soslu Patlican (Eggplants with sauce): cubes of eggplant<br />
baked with olive oil and garnish with tomatoes and peppers Babaganush:<br />
Smoked eggplant puree, olive oil, lemon juice and some garlic. Stuffed<br />
Grape Leaves: Grape leaves stuffed with rice, topped with olive oil<br />
and sometimes meat. Lebne: Thick homemade yogurt with walnut garlic<br />
and dill. Tarama: Red caviar spread, blended with olive oil and lemon<br />
juice Traditional Drinks: Raki is the Turkish neighbor of Greek Ouzo<br />
which is made up of aniseed and various grapes. It is a transparent<br />
drink that turns into white when mixed with water or ice. However, the<br />
locals prefer to drink it mixed with just a little of water and ice in<br />
a thin and tall glass followed by a second similar glass filled only<br />
with water. Alcoholic drinks are widely available although Turkey is a<br />
country where the majority of the population is Muslim and the<br />
religion prohibits consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, the<br />
country is secular and the consumption is in high volumes. It is not<br />
considered a wrongdoing for those who choose to drink. Raki is the<br />
most popular drink that accompanies seafood; just like what white wine<br />
is to seafood or red wine is to red meat in the western countries. The<br />
most popular local bear is Efes which is very similar to the<br />
traditional American bears and other imported bears such as Budweiser<br />
or Corona are widely available.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-81734381908625986202011-03-09T17:08:00.002-05:002011-03-09T17:08:01.054-05:00Turkey CultureTurkey offers a diverse culture, with most of the elements being<br />
assimilated through the autonomy empires in the past. The important<br />
elements that influence Turkey culture include folk dances, shadow<br />
play, cuisine, literature and etc.Turkey has several folk dances<br />
including Izmir and Horon folk dances. Izmir folk dance, also known as<br />
Zeybek dances is practiced by the Izmir people. There are two types of<br />
Zeybek folk dances including slow and Yoruk Zeybek. The clarinet and<br />
drum are the two musical instruments that are used to play the<br />
background music of the Izmir dance. If the dance is performed in an<br />
indoor building, the baglama instrument is used.The Horon folk dance<br />
is performed during the sin-sin festival celebration. The sin-sin<br />
festival celebration celebrates the Sin moon goddess. During the<br />
festival, other culture folk dances such as Duz Halay and Bas bar of<br />
Erzurum are performed. All the Turkey folk dances have a similar<br />
theme, which is courage. The costumes and music help to liven up the<br />
community that lives in Turkey.Turkish literature shows many<br />
influences from the Ottoman Empire. In addition, it is influenced by<br />
the literature from Persia and Arabia. The Turkish literatures are<br />
written by famous authors such as Tevfik Fikret, Yunus Emre, Asik<br />
Veysel, and Sinasi.The Karagoz and Hacivat shadow is a puppet show<br />
that involves making movement on the design of the curtain. Two<br />
persons will voice the puppets at the back of the stage. It used to be<br />
a popular show during the Ottoman period because of the satire<br />
accents. Karagoz and Hacivat have different characters. Karagoz is an<br />
ordinary man that is trustworthy and straightforward. Karagoz is<br />
illiterate and live a simple life. Hacivat is clever and knows how to<br />
speak poetic language.Turkish restaurants serve a large variety of<br />
cuisines from around the world. Kebabs are a stewed dishes that are<br />
often served at the restaurant. Turkish people like to cook lamb meat<br />
for their meals. There are many types of kebabs that the restaurants<br />
offer including sis kebab, doner kebab, alanazik and etc. Aubergine is<br />
used as the main ingredients in many dishes such as hunkarbegendi. The<br />
pilav is a complicated rice dish that is prepared by an experienced<br />
chef. Borek is a Turkish pies that is stuffed with potatoes and<br />
cheese. The zeytin yaglilar is a dish that is cooked via olive oil.<br />
The confectionaries in Turkey are quite famous. Some of the Turkish<br />
confectionaries include helva, asure, and kadayif.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-80814408233345677982011-03-08T16:08:00.002-05:002011-03-08T16:08:00.214-05:00The Beauty of Grilled ChickenI love street cafã©s and kiosks. The represent a look into the soul of<br />
the food culture of an area, the stuff the real people are eating each<br />
and every day. To make things all the better, the dishes even happen<br />
to be incredibly delicious. One of the staples of street food is the<br />
same the world over € chicken. Mexico, New York, Bangkok, Shanghai,<br />
Tuscany€¦go anywhere and you€™ll find chicken on the grill. It is a<br />
staple protein source of most cultures, but that doesn€™t mean it<br />
comes in a standard form of preparation. Every culture adds their own<br />
twists to the mighty chicken be it through spices, dips or cooking<br />
techniques. This means you can easily spice up your chicken meals with<br />
the smallest of changes. Let€™s take a quick look at some options.<br />
Beer can chicken is a specialty that€™s come out of Texas. It sounds a<br />
bit iffy at best, but produces an absolutely succulent chicken. To<br />
prepare it, you need to remove the innerds of the chicken. Clean and<br />
coat the chicken with Memphis Rub. Now take any can of beer and punch<br />
a number of holes in the top of the can. Place the can on a grill and<br />
place the chicken over it so that the can is inside the bird. Cook<br />
until the chicken meat is falling off the bird€¦about an hour. The<br />
marinated bird is our second choice. Chicken is unique in that you can<br />
use a wide variety of marinating mixes to give it very unique tastes.<br />
The list is nearly endless, so just do a search on the web to see all<br />
the options. That being said, keep in mind that the skin of chicken<br />
will repel any marinade that you use. You must loosen the skin and<br />
apply the marinade under it. Do so and the meat will pick up flavor<br />
quickly. Palestininan chicken kebobs are the stuff of legend. The<br />
chicken is wicked good off the grill because hints of cinnamon and<br />
cardamom are added to it. Just try it and you€™ll be adding it to your<br />
must grill list. The first step is to create a marinade. Mix 1 cup<br />
plain yogurt, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 6 cloves minced, a<br />
teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a half a teaspoon of<br />
pepper and a quarter teaspoon of ground cardamom. Marinate and cover<br />
the chicken four to twelve hours. Cook the kebabs as you would<br />
normally. Delicious!The beauty of grilled chicken is you can go in so<br />
many ways with it. You€™ll love the above, but don€™t be afraid to<br />
experiment and come up with your own specialties.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-80708109520038052482011-03-07T15:08:00.002-05:002011-03-07T15:08:00.667-05:00Finger-licking Kebabs in Hyderabad - Hyderabad FoodHyderabad is most famous for its Biryani but not far behind are the<br />
delectable Kebabs served at many a place around the city. Not<br />
surprisingly most of the places which serve the best Biryani also<br />
serve some of the best Kebabs but all that is changing as new eateries<br />
get added to the city's map. Here is metromela's guide to some of the<br />
best places for Kebabs around the city. Old and popularthese<br />
restaurants have grown with the city. The typical dishes they serve<br />
range from the ever popular Murgh Tikka to the very delectable Murgh<br />
Malai Kebab, Tangdi Kebab and of course traditional favourites like<br />
the Shammi Kebab, Mutton Do Pyaza, Mutton Sheek kebab and Patthar Ka<br />
Gosht. Do not expect a large variety of sea food here as only the<br />
fastest moving items are served best here. The prices range from Rs.<br />
80 to Rs. 160.Garden Restaurant,# 38, Sarojini Devi Road,<br />
Secunderabad.Tel - 040-27804074, 66337755Hotel Shadab,Shop No.<br />
21-1-140, High Court Road, Hyderabad.Tel - 040-24561648,<br />
24565949Paradise Restaurant,Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.Tel -<br />
040-27843115Hotel Niagara,Chaderghat, Hyderabad.Tel - 040-65092711New<br />
Kids on the blockthe city has grown exponentially and there has been a<br />
huge surge in the number of restaurants. While some follow the fast<br />
food culture others offer fine dining facilities too. Some even offer<br />
Mediterranean, Lebanese and Arabic varieties of kebabs. So while there<br />
are evergreen favourites, there are even new varieties to sample like<br />
the Sharwama, Falafel etc. The pricing here is modest and ranges<br />
between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 for the chicken variety and Rs. 100 to Rs.<br />
140 for the mutton variety.Hyderabad houseraj Yuvraj Complex, Road No.<br />
3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.Tel - 23554848 Also at Mehdipatnam,<br />
Madhapur, Malakpet, Himayath Nagar, Trimulgherry, Sanjeev Reddy Nagar,<br />
Lallaguda, Secunderabad, Kukatpally.Kababish Food courtred Hills,<br />
Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad.Tel - 09393055566, 09393025677Also at<br />
Yousufguda, Mallepally, Chaderghat, Towlichowki, Khairatabad,<br />
Ameerpet.Four seasonsopposite RTO Office, Toli Chowki, Yousuf Tekri,<br />
Hyderabad. Tel - 040-23560156The 5-Star experiencefive star hotels<br />
like the Taj Banjara has Kebab-e-Bahar, which is by far one of the<br />
best places for Kebabs in Hyderabad. They serve the popular fare with<br />
a Lucknowi touch in the form of Kakori kebabs and the ever popular<br />
Barah Kebab. Since this is a five star restaurant there is also a good<br />
selection of sea food from Tandoori fish to Fish Amritsari and the<br />
Tandoori Jhinga to choose from. The food has a distinct touch of the<br />
North. Then there is even Kebabs and Curries (formerly Peshwari) at<br />
the Grand Kakatiya. They serve some of the best Tandoori Raan in the<br />
city. The lobster is one of the best in the country and so are their<br />
jumbo prawns. Apart from its specialties they also serve some of the<br />
softest and most delectable sheek kebabs (with a special crunchy<br />
buttery variety) and Murgh malai kebabs. The prices, needless to say,<br />
are on the higher side.Kebab-e-bahartaj Banjara, Road No.1, Banjara<br />
Hills, Hyderabad.Tel - 040-66661919€ŽKebabs and curriesitc Hotel<br />
Kakatiya Sheraton & Towers, Begumpet, Hyderabad.Tel - 040 - 23400132So<br />
have a finger-licking time at these kebab havens! Finger-licking<br />
Kebabs in Hyderabad - Hyderabad Food has been written by Pranay who<br />
writes for metromelaKebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-80282393002411909862011-03-06T14:08:00.002-05:002011-03-06T14:08:00.427-05:003 Cultural Experiences You Cant Miss In TurkeyEvery year, many tourists decide to explore the cultural delights of<br />
Turkey. Walks are a fantastic way to see all that the country has to<br />
offer, taking you through ancient ruins and bustling towns and along<br />
spectacular coastlines. Wherever your walk takes you, there are a few<br />
cultural experiences that you simply cannot help but encounter during<br />
your time in the country.Here are three of the best, which will<br />
provide you with experiences youll be recounting to your friends back<br />
home for weeks to come.Turkish Baths (Hamams)Turkish baths, or hamams<br />
as they are known locally, are found all over Turkey. Walks are a<br />
great way to see the country, but they can leave you tired and in need<br />
of some rejuvenation. So what better way to get over your stiff joints<br />
than by a trip to a Turkish bath?In the hamam you can relax in the<br />
warm, steamy rooms and you can even experience a number of different<br />
massages. These can include a foam massage, an exfoliating massage and<br />
a luxurious oil massage. Hamams are part of the daily routine for many<br />
locals, and you may well find you get quite fond of them as well.Dont<br />
miss out on visiting a hamam when on a walking holiday in Turkey.<br />
Walks may be the best way to see the country, but its just as<br />
important to treat yourself to a bit of luxury every once in a<br />
while.Turkish KebabsTurkey is, for some, the home of kebabs and not<br />
the kind of kebabs that you are likely to find in some late-night<br />
joint in a town centre in England. Turkish kebabs are of the highest<br />
quality, and will provide you with a culinary treat to remember long<br />
after your trip to Turkey. Walks that lead through any town or city<br />
are certain to take you past a restaurant or bar serving kebabs. And<br />
even if you dont spot them, just follow your nose; the wonderful spicy<br />
aroma wafting out into the street will lead you straight to<br />
them.Kebabs are different all over the country, with most regions<br />
having their own specific style. Whether a Si_ (shish) kebab, Adana<br />
kebab or the well-known (but entirely different) Doner kebab, you are<br />
going to give your taste buds a treat when you try any kebab in<br />
Turkey.Turkish Coffee HouseIn Turkey, walks will allow you to<br />
experience both the countryside and the bustling cities alike. But<br />
wherever you decide to go, you will never find yourself far from a<br />
coffee house selling strong Turkish coffee.Coffee is an important part<br />
of daily life for Turkish people. It still plays a role in many<br />
rituals involving prayer and marriage, although not as much as it once<br />
did. It is made from a fine powder and the resulting drink is much<br />
stronger than you may be used to. Cardamom is sometimes added, and the<br />
distinctive taste is something you wont forget in a hurry.When you<br />
head to Turkey, walks of any type will lead you past one of these<br />
coffee houses sooner or later. And if you feel yourself getting tired<br />
during your walk, there is no better remedy than a shot of hot strong<br />
Turkish coffee to restore your energy levels.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-79831737496394676452011-03-05T13:08:00.002-05:002011-03-05T13:08:01.264-05:00Forget the Turkey and Try Turkish Food this ChristmasRather than spending your time couped up in the kitchen preparing a<br />
Turkey, this Christmas cook the healthy options of Turkish food that<br />
is quick and simple, allowing you to spend valuable time with your<br />
loved ones.Reduce your time in the kitchen this Christmas and get the<br />
whole family involved.Turks have been grilling and barbequing their<br />
kofte and shish kebabs for centuries. Marinade your shish kebabs the<br />
night before. That means all you need to do on Christmas day, is get<br />
the kids to place them on the skewers and send them out to the men<br />
gathered around the barbeque to cook them for 4-5 minutes on each<br />
side. (hint - if using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water before<br />
adding the meat. This will help stop them from burning over the<br />
barbeque)No Turkish or Mediterranean meal is complete without salad.<br />
Skip the potato salad and coleslaw this year and replace them with a<br />
pomegranate, walnut and toasted walnut salad and Turkey's signature<br />
salad kisir, best described and spicy Turkish tabouli.Get the kids<br />
baking. Have them knead the dough of the bazlama, an oil and butter<br />
free Turkish flat bread. All it takes is 15-20 minutes in the oven and<br />
you'll have low fat, low calorie fresh bread you can use for the shish<br />
kebabs or dip into some home made cacik or hummus dip.Most people<br />
think of baklava or Turkish delight when they think of Turkish<br />
desserts, but it doesn't have to be. A very simple yet typical Turkish<br />
dessert is watermelon with a selection of other seasonal fruit.Turkish<br />
food is considered to be one of the top cuisines in the world. It's<br />
depth and taste place it with French and Chinese cuisines. You can<br />
learn more about Turkish food and Turkish cooking at Melbourne's only<br />
Turkish cooking school, Turkish ThymeKebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-75915186651499817262011-03-04T12:08:00.001-05:002011-03-04T12:08:00.062-05:00Kebabs in Delhi - For the ConnoisseurOne of the peaks of Indian cooking is the Kebabs - and Delhi is the<br />
easiest place to sample them, a variety of them.Kebabs owe their<br />
origin to the North Western province of India. Delhi is the capital of<br />
Kebabs now. There is something about eating a kebab in Delhi - topped<br />
with desi flavours, ready to melt in your mouth, lip smacking, spiced<br />
up, sweet lemon droppings, careless onion rings and tongue biting -<br />
twitching green chutney.We mention few joints where you can sample<br />
them:Karim's Jama Masjid:Arguably the best destination in Delhi to<br />
sample authentic kebabs. The setting cannot be better. Smack in the<br />
Muslim part of old Delhi, just off the magnificent Jama Masjid.<br />
Ideally, visit for dinner. This way you can absorb the local<br />
atmosphere. This establishment dates back to 1913. Open all days of<br />
week. Easy on your pocket as well.Khan Chacha, Khan Market:This is a<br />
small place, located in a heritage market near the Lodhi Gardens. Very<br />
delicious kebabs here.Al Kauser, R K Puram:Rivalling Delhi for kebabs<br />
is another town Lucknow. Lucknow's most famous export Kakori Kebabs<br />
are found here. Must visit. The kebabs, wrapped in Roomali roti are<br />
absolutely divine.Colonel's kebabs:Located in Defence colony, the<br />
kebab offerings here are just awesome. They have done and continue to<br />
do something different than the traditional kebab shops. They have an<br />
innovative menu.Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton:This is a posh place. The<br />
celebrity A list dines here. Bill Clinton has endorsed it. Expensive.<br />
Famous. Figures in guide books as a must visit. Famous for Murgh Malai<br />
Kebab. The menu is limited but both sufficient and fulfilling. A<br />
specialty of theirs is the super sized Naan. Worth the experience.The<br />
Great Kebab Factory, Sector 18, Noida:The Great Kebab Factory brought<br />
in an innovation in the kebab serving establishments. The factory<br />
(restaurant) serves hundreds of varied kebabs, very beautiful to look<br />
at and simply delicious. The price is fixed, you can eat as much as<br />
you want. Try the galauti kebabs and the rotis prepared on inverted<br />
tawa.Chor Bizarre, Hotel Broadway, Asaf Ali Road:This is a must visit<br />
restaurant. Not only the kebabs but for other items on the menu as<br />
well. They specialize in Kashmiri food and are located in old Delhi.<br />
They have a bar as well. Every item on the menu is recommended. They<br />
have a branch in London as well. Try the Mirchi Korma, Gustaba,<br />
Suffiani Machhi, Gazab ka Tikka, Galauti Kebabs.Nizam's Connaught<br />
Place:Located in the heart of city, easily accessible, this itself is<br />
enough for the place with a nawabi history. Primarily for<br />
non-vegetarian eaters, do try the aromatic Kathi Kebabs, Biryani and<br />
roasted Kebabs.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-74585188996954566362011-03-03T11:08:00.001-05:002011-03-03T11:08:00.687-05:00Meal Ideas For Outdoor Fire PitsThere is absolutely nothing that brings back the great memories of<br />
bygone times like roasting hotdogs on outdoor fire pits. For most of<br />
us, a traditional campfire built on the ground in the forest is<br />
practically impossible to recreate but an outdoor fire pit is an easy<br />
addition to any backyard. It allows you to once again enjoy the taste<br />
of food cooked outside over an open fire and the ambiance of a cozy<br />
fire on a chilly night.A fire pit can be a great place to do as much<br />
or as little cooking out as you want to do. In addition to just<br />
roasting hotdogs on outdoor firepits, you can also cook corn on the<br />
cob, fish, meats, vegetables and much more. The list of foods and<br />
dishes you can make on a fire pit is endless.One thing you must keep<br />
in mind is that you do need to have the right tools in order to be<br />
able to cook out easily and with the least amount of fuss and mess. A<br />
grate to put over your fire pit is essential to any cooking you want<br />
to do on it. Without a fire pit grate, you will have tired arms from<br />
holding things over the flames, not to mention how warm it gets when<br />
you stand within arm's reach of the fire for a while. A mesh basket is<br />
another great investment for fire pit cooking. It is the perfect way<br />
to cook vegetables, fish and shellfish. You'll never have to worry<br />
again about dropping good food into the fire and watching it<br />
incinerate. Last, but not least, when you're doing those marshmallows<br />
and roasting hotdogs on outdoor fire pits, you need extra long metal<br />
skewers with stay cool handles.A great idea for an outdoor fire pit<br />
cookout is to do a build-your-own-shish-kebab party. Set up a table<br />
with all the ingredients anyone could possibly want for shish kebabs<br />
and keep them on ice. Have plenty of wooden skewers already soaked in<br />
water to prevent scorching. Allow everyone to make their very own<br />
shish kebabs exactly how they want. A cook out like this is easy,<br />
family friendly, healthy and fun. Before long, you'll be known for<br />
your great outdoor get-togethers.When cooking meals over an open fire,<br />
you can get everyone involved. It is not the traditional kind of meal<br />
where one person devotes lots of time to preparing it for everyone<br />
else. It is very much a shared event and as such, it will make for not<br />
just tasty meals but also warm memories of doing things together as a<br />
family. Whether you are simply toasting marshmallows, cooking an<br />
elaborate meal or roasting hotdogs on outdoor fire pits, it will be<br />
great fun and you will create lots of special moments to cherish.So<br />
call up your friends, get the family together, plan a menu and head<br />
out to the backyard. In no time you can put together a fun evening of<br />
cooking out and cozying up to a fire, just like the good old days,<br />
only a little better.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-72805163188972732572011-03-02T10:08:00.001-05:002011-03-02T10:08:01.438-05:00Lamb kebabs with dipping sauceThis delicious, nutritious dish is best cooked - and eaten - al<br />
fresco. Make your barbecue sizzle with this light take on the lamb<br />
kebab.The sweet chilli dipping sauce is also lower in fat than any<br />
ready-made brand. Soak wooden skewers in water for a few hours<br />
beforehand to stop them burning on the grill.Serves: 4Preparation: 10<br />
minutes450g leg of lamb, diced24 medium shallots, peeled8 bay leaves<br />
and a handful of chopped coriander3 tbsp vegetable oil2 oranges and<br />
three limes, juiced and the rind grated2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce3 tbsp<br />
dark soy sauce3 tbsp hoisin sauce1 tbsp tomato ketchup8 whole star<br />
anise2 qarlic cloves, crushed1 red chilli, finely diced1 tbsp runny<br />
honey1 tbsp light soy saucedash of sesame seed oilstep 1. To make the<br />
marinade, mix together the orange juice, the juice of one lime,<br />
ketchup, garlic, hoisin sauce, chilli sauce, star anise, 2 tbsp dark<br />
soy sauce and I tsp vegetable oil.Step 2. Thread a bay leaf on each<br />
skewer, then alternate shallots and lamb. Lay the kebabs in a shallow<br />
dish and cover with the marinade. Chill for at least two hours.Step 3.<br />
Drizzle the kebabs with oil, then fry or barbecue them on a medium<br />
heat for three to four minutes on each side, brushing them with the<br />
remaining marinade throughout the cooking process.Step 4. To create<br />
the dipping sauce, simply mix together the remaining ingredients.Do<br />
runners need more omega-3 than non-runners?Omeqa-3 helps to combat<br />
inflammation, which can be a by-product of regular exercise. Too much<br />
inflammation is not good news for the joints, arteries or muscle<br />
tissue, and endurance runners in particular are at risk of overuse<br />
injuries because their joints and tissue are exposed to prolonged<br />
trauma.I would recommend that runners take a supplement that contains<br />
omega-3 fatty acids in the natural triglyceride form, which has the<br />
same molecular structure as the omega-3s found in oily fish. You can<br />
also up your omega-3 intake through your diet: mackerel and salmon are<br />
two of the best sources, along with flaxseeds, walnuts and pecans.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-70201161004505349372011-03-01T09:08:00.002-05:002011-03-01T09:08:01.271-05:00Trivial facts about TurkeyTurkey is a great destination to travel to at this time of the year,<br />
so we thought we would share a few interesting facts about this<br />
amazing country with you.- Turkey is the world's largest producer of<br />
hardshell nuts, figs and apricots- Turkey borders 7 countries (Greece,<br />
Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria).- Turkey is one of<br />
the top 12 travel destinations in the world, with more than 17 million<br />
visitors every year.- Turkey's national drink is Raki. Raki is a<br />
clear brandy made from grapes and raisins, and tastes like licorice.<br />
It is very comparable to Ouzo.- Turkey is famous for their<br />
rugs/carpets. The oldest Turkish carpet discovered to date was made<br />
in the 5th Century BC, and contains 347 000 Turkish double knots per<br />
square metre.- Camel wrestling is very popular in Turkey. They use<br />
long-haired cross-bred camels called Tulis, known for their aggressive<br />
nature. A trained camel can learn to trip his opponent, force him<br />
into submission, and push him to his knees with his head!- The Doner<br />
Kebab is Turkey's national dish. Doner Kebab translates to €˜turning<br />
roast'.- The Turks are said to have an average of 14.5 sexual partners<br />
in their lifetime, which means they have more sexual partners than any<br />
other nationality in the world! (Australia comes in at a close<br />
second).- The Turkey bird was accidentally named after the country.<br />
After the Spanish first found the bird more than 400 years ago and<br />
brought it back to Europe, the English mistakenly thought the Spanish<br />
brought it back from Turkey, and named it after the country.Tucan<br />
Travel, Gap Adventures, and Intrepid Travel offer some great options<br />
for traveling to Turkey.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-70036995231771921782011-02-28T08:08:00.002-05:002011-02-28T08:08:00.843-05:00Chicken Kebab RecipeThese are the traditional kebabs from South Asian cuisine and are<br />
generally known as Shami Kebabs. They are also made from beef and fish<br />
with the same method. These chicken kebabs take a little more time as<br />
compare to other kebabs but are very tasty and can be used in making<br />
burgers and sandwiches. You can make as much kebabs as you want and<br />
freeze it for months and fry whenever you want. You can easily prepare<br />
30 chicken kebabs from this recipe in just 60 minutes.Ingredients:1<br />
chicken breast100 gm gram lentils (chana daal) 15-20 dry red chili2<br />
tbspn cumin seeds1 tbspn coriander seeds1 tbspn black pepper powder1/2<br />
cup coriander leaves chopped1/2 cup mint leaves chopped8-10 green<br />
chilies chopped2 medium size onion finely chopped1 egg1 tbspn hot mix<br />
spice powder (garam masala)Salt as requiredOil for shallow<br />
fryingprocedure:1. In a deep sauce pan, boil gram lentils in water<br />
with red chili, cumin seeds, coriander leaves and salt. The quantity<br />
of water should enough to cover all the lentils. Boil the lentils for<br />
20-30 minutes until they would become soft.2. After that add chicken<br />
breast in the boiled lentils and add 1-2 cup of water if required<br />
(when all the previous water has been dried) and let it cook until<br />
chicken become tender and soft.3. Now switch off the flame and let it<br />
cool for 5 minutes so that all the steam escape out, then in a chopper<br />
put the mixture and chop so that the chicken and lentils would mix<br />
together with the spices. Don't chop them too much otherwise you<br />
kebabs would break after frying.4. Take out the chopped mixture in a<br />
wide mixing bowl, now its time to add the remaining herbs and spices<br />
i.e. Coriander and mint leaves, green chilies, black pepper, hot mix<br />
spice and egg. Mix all of them together to make smooth dough of<br />
kebab.5. Now take small piece from the mixture and first make a ball<br />
just like meat ball and then press it by using your palm and make flat<br />
circular kebab. Similarly, make rest of the kebabs.6. Take a frying<br />
pan and heat oil to shallow fry the kebabs, Put the kebabs in the pan<br />
and fry till they become brown in color from both sides. If the kebabs<br />
are too soft to handle while frying then coat them in egg before<br />
frying.Serving:Delicious chicken kebab is ready to serve with paratha<br />
or you can also use in bun to make burger.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-62669573067930992192011-02-24T04:08:00.002-05:002011-02-24T04:08:00.314-05:00Ocala dining for kebabsYou can always find a good restaurant in Ocala, Florida. The Ocala<br />
Restaurant Dining facilities will offer everything that suits you.<br />
Chinese, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Latin American, you name it!There are<br />
two main areas where you can find good Ocala food. Austin Street and<br />
Metropolitan Avenue where there are a lot many restaurants. Here you<br />
can either experiment with Thai cuisine or try your hand at Oriental<br />
food at the Thai Bistro. For those on the lookout for fast food,<br />
Nick's is the place to go. Along with delicious pizza, you can also<br />
enjoy the best service. The place is well known for its friendly and<br />
smart staff. Tea aficionados Bialy's is the place to go! You can try<br />
out a number of Thai tea's here.If kebabs are your poison, then Pahal<br />
Zan serves finger-licking Israeli salads and kebabs. It is situated<br />
near the LIRR station in Ocala. For those who desire royal breakfast;<br />
American style with lots of fries and burgers visit American Mother's.<br />
You can later have your fill of draught beer at one of the popular<br />
bars in Ocala such as the Steakhouse. If you want to cover up on the<br />
lost time with your family, try out the Irish Cottage Restaurant and<br />
Pub. This place is highly recommended among all the Ocala dining<br />
options. Party hoppers to have something in store for them; Bartini's<br />
is the place to be for an exciting night out with friends and<br />
family!Ocala is one place where the world's cuisines come together.<br />
Even South Asian Food is available at Samarkand and Amrit's Palace<br />
which is known for its authentic and Spicy Indian food. Even Bay Leaf<br />
is an option for good Asian varieties in Ocala. Both of these<br />
restaurants are situated at the Southwest College Road.Another option<br />
for you is the Sky Asian Fusion in the Holiday Inn Hotel. This place<br />
is by far the best in the list and is known for its sheer elegance and<br />
ambience. It covers delicacies from all over Asia and you can go there<br />
for any occasion. Be it a friend's night out or a romantic dinner with<br />
your sweetheart.Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2058913318351886822.post-62309030309977115252011-02-23T03:08:00.002-05:002011-02-23T03:08:00.186-05:00A Few Yummy Kebab Recipes From A Leading Supermarket ChainMost supermarkets in the UK are an amazing resource for recipes. Free<br />
magazines that can be picked up in-store, recipe cards and websites<br />
make the collection of an amazing quantity of recipes easy for anyone.<br />
Here is a selection of a small number of recipes from the website of<br />
the UK supermarket chain, Sainsbury's.Cheesy Mushroom Kebabs 175 g<br />
brie or camembert cheese, at room temperature (6oz) 1 small green<br />
pepper, de-seeded and finely diced salt and freshly ground black<br />
pepper 24 cups mushrooms 8 cherry tomatoes 1 Tbs clear honey 25 g<br />
butter, (1oz)1. Mash together the cheese, green pepper and seasoning<br />
to taste.2. Use the mixture to sandwich the mushrooms together in<br />
pairs.3. Thread 3 pairs of mushrooms onto a skewer with a cherry<br />
tomato between each pair. Repeat with remaining ingredients.4. Melt<br />
the honey and butter and brush the glaze over the kebabs.5. Place on a<br />
sheet of foil under a preheated moderate grill for 5-6 minutes,<br />
turning once.6. Serve immediately with the glaze and melted cheese<br />
spooned over the top. Serve with warm crusty bread.Mediterranean<br />
Kebabs FOR THE KEBABS 1 aubergine, cut into cubes 2 Tbs salt 500 g<br />
neck fillet of lamb, cut into cubes (1lb) 1 g pac Haloumi 1 g pac<br />
cherry tomatoes FOR THE MARINADE 3 Tbs balsamic vinegar 1 shallot,<br />
finely chopped 1 Tbs clear honey 150 ml Greek olive oil, ( 1/4 pint)1.<br />
To make the kebabs; sprinkle the aubergine with the salt and leave for<br />
20minutes, before draining off the excess liquid and drying with<br />
kitchen paper.2. Thread the cubes of meat, cheese, tomato and<br />
aubergine on to skewers.3. For the marinade; place the vinegar,<br />
shallot and honey into a liquidiser and blend until smooth, gradually<br />
adding the olive oil.4. Brush half the marinade over the kebabs and<br />
refrigerate for 30 minutes, occasionally basting with the marinade.5.<br />
Cook under a medium hot grill for approximately 15-20 minutes or until<br />
cooked through, turning occasionally.6. Drizzle the remaining marinade<br />
over an accompanying salad and lay the kebabs on top.Author Note:<br />
These kebabs are marinated in a balsamic dressing and are ideal for<br />
barbecuing, although just as tasty if cooked indoors.Spicy Fish Kebabs<br />
500 g cod, (1lb) 2 Tbs fresh coriander, leaves and stalk 1 red chilli,<br />
chopped 2 Tbs fish sauce 4 kaffir lime leaves 3 spring onions, roughly<br />
chopped 1 tsp brown sugar 1 egg white salt and freshly ground black<br />
pepper 40 g green beans, sliced thinly (1 1/2oz) 10 kaffir lime<br />
leaves, soaked in water for 10 minutes 1 Tbs olive oil1. Place all the<br />
ingredients, except the green beans in a food processor.2. Mix until<br />
well combined, about 1-2 minutes.3. Stir in the beans.4. Form the<br />
mixture into 25g (1oz) balls. Thread 2 balls onto each wooden skewer,<br />
with a lime leaf in between.5. Brush with olive oil.6. Place under a<br />
hot grill and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked<br />
through.7. Serve with a crisp salad, and a spicy dipping sauce.8.<br />
Notes To prevent the skewers from burning under the grill, soak for<br />
10-15 minutes in cold water.Author Note: These spicy fish kebabs are a<br />
variation on the classicfishcakesand equally tasty.Bon Appetit from<br />
The UK Recipe Archive!!!!!!!!Kebab househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04186956835233230932noreply@blogger.com0