Nov 22, 2024 | Patlıcan Oturtma is a traditional Turkish dish often served at "esnaf lokanta" restaurants, known for offering comforting, home-style meals. This recipe is similar to Moussaka or Karnıyarık, but it has a unique twist: instead of being stuffed, the spicy ground meat mixture is layered on top of individual slices of tender, roasted eggplant, hence the name "Oturtma" (Placed).
This eggplant and meat dish is a perfect balance of savory and spicy flavors, making it a beloved staple of Turkish cuisine. It’s typically paired with rice pilaf and cacık (a refreshing yogurt-cucumber dip) or simply served with a side of plain yogurt. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish food or exploring it for the first time, this recipe is easy to follow and packed with authentic flavors!
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Jun 27, 2025 | Mfarakeh (also spelled Mufaraqah, Mufarakeh, Mfarrakeh) is a traditional Middle Eastern comfort food made from eggs scrambled with vegetables or meat, often flavored with warm spices like cumin, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper.
The name "Mfarakeh" comes from the Arabic word "farak" (فَرَك), meaning "to crumble" or "separate" — referring to the way eggs are stirred into the pan to form soft, distinct curds. It’s popular in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and parts of Iraq and Egypt, with many families preparing their own twist depending on what’s available.
This version is a one-pan dish made with spiced ground beef, potatoes, and eggs — simple, high in protein, and incredibly satisfying.
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Mar 14, 2025 | Duvaklı Pilav, is a traditional and festive rice pilaf originating from Diyarbakır in southeastern Turkiye, is a cherished dish that beautifully combines the rich flavors of tender minced lamb, roasted almonds, and aromatic spices over a bed of buttery rice.
Its name, "Duvaklı," meaning "veiled," refers to the generous topping of spiced meat and nuts that "veil" the rice and according to some stories, it's served during the (un)-veiling ceremony for the bride, hence the name.
This pilaf holds a special place in Diyarbakır's culinary tradition, often reserved for significant occasions such as weddings, religious celebrations, and special gatherings.
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Mar 21, 2025 | Havuç Tarator, a traditional Turkish carrot and garlic yogurt mezze, prepared in just 15 minutes! This quick, creamy, and healthy appetizer blends sautéed carrots, garlic yogurt, walnuts, with a hint of chili oil—perfect for any meal or gathering.
Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.
Jun 20, 2025 | This spicy Turkish tomato dip, known as Domates Ezme, is packed with bold flavors from fresh tomatoes, garlic, hot chilies, sumac, pul biber, and pomegranate molasses.
A perfect mezze from Türkiye to serve with fresh bread — fiery, tangy, and addictive! Every household or restaurant has its own recipe, some recipes use tomato paste and chili paste or roast the tomatoes before chopping. This one is simple, fresh and it’s my personal favorite.
I used NICEA Extra Virgin Olive Oils for this recipe — a premium, cold-pressed olive oil made from olives grown in Türkiye. It is highly recommended. Click here for more info.
Dec 6, 2024 | Belen Tava is really simple, yet a mouth-watering Turkish dish from the Hatay region, known for its simplicity and deep, robust flavors.
Made with tender lamb, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic, it is oven-baked in a single pan, making it incredibly easy to prepare. The lamb is combined with the vegetables, topped with lamb fat for extra flavor and baked until the meat is tender and the flavors meld together.
This dish is all about using fresh, quality ingredients, and for the best results, it's recommended to use an earthenware or a cast iron pan to achieve that perfect balance of caramelization and perfect consistency.
Belen Tava is often served with Turkish flatbread or pide (Turkish pita bread), allowing you to scoop up the flavorful juices, and it also pairs beautifully with rice or bulgur.
Click here for the full recipe, then click on ‘more’.
Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.
Apr 8, 2022 | Amsterdam | Pilaf (pilav) is a staple of Turkish cuisine and has hundreds of different varieties in all regions made with rice, bulgur and other grains. Rice pilaf with orzo is probably the most common and is served almost in every home and restaurant in Turkey. This humble and simple dish is one of the most versatile meals that can pair with just anything.
This version is with orzo, takes the already delicious rice pilaf to another level with it's nutty and roasted flavors. Try this once and you will not want to go back again to plain rice anymore!
Click here for the full recipe and then click on ‘more’.
Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.
Sep 13, 2024 | Travel back in time with the authentic flavors of Dawood Basha, a dish named after an Ottoman governor in Middle East. This recipe features tender lamb or beef meatballs, perfectly spiced, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Ideal for serving with rice pilaf or bread!
Click here for the full recipe and then click on ‘more’.
Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.
Aug 11, 2023 | The word "Moussaka" itself has Arabic origins, derived from the word "musaqqa'a," which means "chilled." Early versions of this dish were made with layered vegetables and sometimes meat, then baked and served at room temperature. The concept of layering and baking vegetables eventually spread to other parts of the Mediterranean, including Greece.
Greek Moussaka, as we know it today, is said to have been adapted and popularized by the Greek population during the Ottoman era. This widely known Greek version was created by the French-trained Greek chef Nikolaos Tselementes in the 1920s.
Click here for the full recipe, then click on ‘more’.
Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.
