Jun 17, 2010

Terrific Turkey.....




Potters village in Cappadocia

Back from Turkey after three wonderful weeks my days are still filled with thoughts and beautiful sights of this amazing country. What struck me first was the extreme landscape and the terrain. The charming old city of Istanbul , the fairy chimneys of Capppadocia, awesome beaches of Antalya, pristine Pamukkale and of course the incredible Izmir - ' Terrific Turkey ' it is !!!

Sharing a bit of Turkey with u... Whatever little my camera could do!.

Carpet factory in Ephesus
Ephesus....


'Travel' has different meaning to each one of us ........Get away, adventure, fun, retreat, relax, shopping... Though it is a mix of all these to me , most importantly it means 'time to be with myself'. Time to download, process, get in touch with my thoughts and rediscover myself.







The valley of Cappadocia

Food in Turkey is truly an experience. Apart from the regular bistro and pub menu the authentic home made turksih food is incredibly divine. Wide variety of vegetables prepared with succulent tomato based sauces, liberal use of yoghurt and feta... takes the experience to a different level.








My favourites were :
'Ekmek'
- Turkish bread and olives and homemade grape molasses and 'menemen' ( Scrambled eggs wtih vegetables and herbs) for breakfast.
'
'Manti' - mini pasta pockets with minced meat cooked and served in a bed of rich tomato sauce and creamy yogurt. They look lot like mini raviolis and 'Mezze platter' was for lunch. Or Bulgar rice with 'Imam bayildi' - eggplant stuffed with minced meat and cooked in tomato gravy

Snacked on 'Simit' - sesame bread, Charcoal roasted chestnuts and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Dinner was wide variety of Kebabs like Iskendar kebab or Testi kebab which is cooked in claypots for eight long hours , with Cappadocian red wine on the side .

10 comments:

Cool Lassi(e) said...

I am jealous of you and Rebecca(of chow and chatter). She just came back from vacationing at Turkey too. If there is one person who is obsessed with everything Turkey, its got to be me. If you are regularly following my blog you would know how many Turkish recipes I have posted and my whines and rants how i want to go but cant go etc etc. Yes esp the Kappodokiya region and the whirling dervishes and the food...i love all their borek and tatlii kabak..their kofta.. I am glad you had a nice time.Lovely photos..esp the "No sleep" Viagara..lol and the fairy chimney..did you visit Mt.Nemrut Dagi?

Madhuri Krishna Bhat said...

Pictures and ur photography are increible,... love to be there oneday... Thanks for sharing

nandini said...

Hi Cool Lassi...

Unfortunately couldnt make it to Nemrut as we spent more time in the Antalya region. I am sure u will be posting ur pictures of Turkey someday too...

nandini said...

Thanks Madhuri...

Veggie Belly said...

What gorgeous photos! Capadoccia was the best part of our trip to Turkey. The Turkish viagara is too funny!! Sounds like an amazing trip!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What a gorgeous collection of pictures! I'd love to visit Turkey. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

Rosa

Ushnish Ghosh said...

Dear Nandini
Of course I would find time to read all your postings. I like your deffintion of travel, you have a point..never looked at travel from your angle...I think it is applicasble to all.
I like Turkeish Kebabs..
I dont know much about Turkey except I had a great fancy for the name Constantinople. My father had an english quiz " Though Constantinople is a big word, who cant spell it is the biggest fool on earth?
I would start with C...o..n..s..then get a slap from my Dad, the answer is " I and T..it" and not constantinople...In my later age even in Univ days I have seen most of my friends will try to spell Constant...and not I and T..
Well I have forgotten english grammar now.
Coming back. I must say, very nice posting with very good captures. I really enjoyed it. I dont think I will ever be able to travel to Turkey, but certainly make a plan to take a stop over at Istambul, during my next trip to Milano.
Have a nice and busy week ahead

DR G A RAMARAJU said...

pictures are incredible ..hoping to see some of those places.RamaRaju

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Hullo Nandini, i love tumbling by lovely Indian blogs and am so so glad to be here for the the deliciousness galore and pretty pics!!!

Anonymous said...

Your photography is beautiful. I love the perspective of each of your shots. Looking forward to reading through your recipes here... My husband would be so happy for me to try these dishes... looking forward to doing so. SO glad to "meet" you here.