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Istanbul (Turkey)
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Starter
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
450kcal
12gProtein
30gCarbs
24gFat
8gFibre
250 gServing
* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.
Allergens
🥜 Nuts
🥛 Dairy
Meze Platters
How to order / say it
Say it
Meze — [MEH-zeh]
Order
I'd like to have a meze platter, please.
Locally
Bir meze tabağı alabilir miyim lütfen?
Say locally
A selection of small dishes served as an appetizer.
Why try it?
Meze represents the social and sharing culture of Istanbul, often enjoyed in gatherings. They showcase the diversity of flavors and the emphasis on variety in Turkish cuisine.
How it tastes
Mezes offer a wide range of flavors such as tangy, creamy, and earthy, depending on the prepared dishes. They often include dips, salads, legumes and pickled vegetables, making each bite unique.
Origin & History — first documented: 1600
The practice of serving small dishes with drinks has been present in the Middle East and the Balkans for centuries, with Turkish meze being integrated into Ottomon times as an appetizer or with rakı.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🫘 200 g chickpeas
- 🥛 100 g yogurt
- 🥕 150 g eggplant
- 🥜 50 g walnuts
- 🧄 20 g garlic
- 🍋 30 ml lemon juice
- 🫒 50 ml olive oil
- 🧂 5 g red pepper flakes
Method
- 1 Prepare various dips such as hummus and yogurt with garlic and spices.
- 2 Roast eggplant and mash with lemon juice and olive oil to make baba ganoush.
- 3 Arrange the dips and prepared mezze items like stuffed grape leaves on a platter.
- 4 Sprinkle with walnuts and serve with fresh bread or pita.
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