Our favorite Turkish recipes

Fight off dreary days with flavorful recipes inspired by the colorful streets of Istanbul. [View this email in your browser]( Where will your spirit take you this October? By Sarah Beaumont, Tastemade Editor & Creative Strategy Director I love everything about October. The slight chill in the air, swapping iced lattes for pumpkin spice, the surplus of squashes, and of course, spooky season. We’ll be sharing plenty of fall recipes, Halloween treat ideas, and scary good content all month long. But first, a few words on how we’re celebrating this month at Tastemade. Halloween is about tapping into your inner child and not being afraid to let your freak flag fly. So we’re finding ways to get spirited and celebrate our true selves this October. I often feel most myself when I’m being spontaneous. And one way to practice spontaneity is with a last-minute whirlwind adventure across the world. I recently visited Istanbul, Türkiye for just three days, which is pretty wild considering I live 6,000+ miles away in California. But despite the jet lag and 13 hour flight, it was totally worth it. Keep reading to hear more about my trip and the surprising amount of culture and delicious food you can pack into a mere 72 hours. But first, can you figure out this week’s brain game? 🧠[Four bowls of different kinds of food like pasta, tomato soup, salad, and rice and veggies.] FOOD What to Eat Turkish delight. Can’t hop on a flight to Türkiye? Bring the flavors of Istanbul to your own dining room with these recipes. [a plate of food with a piece of meat and a salad]( Kofta Kabobs By Chef Frankie Celenza These spicy beef and lamb kabobs pair perfectly with a bright, briny salad. [Make It]( [a plate of food with hummus and vegetables and pita bread]( Yogurt and Charred Eggplant By the Tastemade Culinary Team Smoky and tangy, this dip shines on a meze platter alongside bread and fresh veggies. [Make It]( [a pastry with a slice cut out of it on a plate]( Knafeh By Vijaya Selvaraju Popular throughout the Middle East, this dessert features thin threads of pastry and cheese soaked in a sweet syrup. [Make It]( [a white plate with three pieces of baklava with caramel on top]( The Best-Ever Baklava By the Tastemade Culinary Team Thin layers of crispy phyllo dough, plenty of pistachios, and sweet, buttery syrup: What’s not to love about this classic dessert? [Make It]( TRAVEL What to Do Eat, See, Sleep, Fly: 3 days in Istanbul When I tell people that I just got back from a three-day trip to Istanbul, they look at me puzzled. It is peculiar to fly half way across the world for only three days, but stick with me… I had the opportunity to travel with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul in celebration of their new in-flight menu item: The World’s ‘Oldest Bread.’ Don’t worry – the bread isn’t actually old. But the ingredients and method for making it are. Crafted from the reproduction of ancient wheat discovered in Türkiye’s Anatolia region, the bread reflects global culinary history and traditional Turkish cuisine. It’s currently being offered on select Business Class flights, prepared fresh and warm, and served alongside butter and olive oil. As a certified bread lover, I can attest, it was delicious. FLY: Turkish Airlines If you’re going to Türkiye, you should probably fly Turkish Airlines. This was my very first international business class flight and it definitely lived up to the hype. The food service is next level. 80% of the ingredients used in the menu are locally sourced and everything is prepared fresh daily by expert chefs. Plus, the lay-flat seats made the 13 hour flight a breeze. 😴 EAT: Authentic Turkish food Tucked on the top floor of an unassuming 100-year-old building is a casual, yet delightful restaurant called [Ali Grill Karakoy]( (English translation). I had many incredible meals while in Istanbul—MICHELIN-star restaurant [neolokal]( is definitely worth a visit, too—but this one tasted like authentic Turkish cuisine. From kebabs to katmer, each plate was full of flavor. SEE: History with a side of modernism I am living proof that it’s possible to visit Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and countless other must-sees in just a few days. Topkapi Palace is an enormous museum that served as the administrative center for the Ottoman Empire and the home of its sultans. Not only is the architecture incredible but it offers an intimate look at the history of Istanbul and its rulers. Head to the Istanbul Modern Museum for help in understanding Türkiye’s storied history through a modern and contemporary lens. SLEEP: [Rixos Tersane Istanbul]( This brand-new hotel is nestled along the Haliç, a major waterway in Istanbul, offering panoramic views of the city while highlighting the 600-year-old dockyard’s rich heritage. There are multiple restaurants, a fitness studio and spa, and a sweeping infinity pool that stretches toward the water. I didn’t get to spend a ton of time enjoying the hotel’s many amenities but the room was spacious and super comfortable, and I did manage to squeeze in an early morning swim! Keep an eye on our [social]( channels for more Istanbul content, coming soon! SHOP TASTEMADE Eye Candy A journey through Istanbul offers no shortage of color. Add spirit to your space with our eye-catching collection of home goods. [Shop All Products]( ENTERTAINMENT Delicious Headlines Chow down on the latest food news. 🥤 If you love a hyper-specific [Coca-Cola flavor]( you might want to stock up. 🦗 SZA ate wings while in [full bug prosthetics]( because she was “tired of not being a bug,” and same, honestly. 🍪 Big news for [big cookie fans](. 🥪 One benefit to fame: Fast access to [trendy sandwiches](. Tell us how you feel. 💭 How likely are you to recommend this newsletter to a friend? lowest [1]( [2]( [3]( [4]( [5]( [6]( [7]( [8]( [9]( [10]( highest [Instagram icon]( [Pinterest icon]( [TikTok icon]( Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign up!]( Copyright (C) 2024 Tastemade. All rights reserved. You're receiving this because you opted into our email list. Our mailing address is: Tastemade 3019 Olympic Blvd Stage C Santa Monica, CA 90404 USA [Update Email Preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( from this list.