Breakfast for Turks is filled with fresh ingredients. Bread is still bought daily from local artisans, and tea and coffee abound. During my first trip to Turkey to visit my (then) future in-laws, I could not believe the flavors that came out of such simple ingredients.
During my last trip there, we ate breakfast outside, overlooking the sea. It was amazing, the warm weather, the water, the people who came by to say hello. The table was a mass of reds, greens, and yellow. I smothered my bread with Crème Peynir, the Turkish version of cream cheese. It is delicious – a mix between cream cheese and creamy Brie. Spread on bread, and topped with cherry jam, it’s a flavor that’s out of this world.
To recreate a Turkish breakfast at home, use small dishes, or a platter with several sections to make small mounds of each food. Chop everything bite-sized and don’t forget to pick up a loaf of French bread or your favorite fresh loaf from the grocery store or your local bakery. In Turkey, it is also common to serve Sujuk, a sausage that tastes like a mixture of pepperoni and beef. I’m not fond of it but my husband adores it. As we can’t find it here in the states, we traditionally stick to the vegetables. But if you’re ever in Turkey, give it a try.
What You’ll Need For A Turkish Breakfast:
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Kalamata Olives
Feta Cheese
Kashkaval Cheese if you can find it – otherwise try any other cheese such as mozzarella, fontina, or parmigiano reggiano.
Jarred Roasted Red Peppers (my American addition)
Hardboiled Eggs
Mild, long green peppers
Fresh Bread along with any toppings you’d like (butter, cream cheese, jam.)
To Prepare Your Plate:
Simply put some of each ingredient on your plate and enjoy. It’s refreshing, healthy, and satisfying.
Serve with your favorite tea or coffee for a traditional completion to your meal.
I recently made this breakfast for my mom while she visited. She loved the flavors and quickly went home to try it herself. My children, ages two and five, eat this regularly. It’s a great way to get them away from sugary cereal and to feed them nutritiously. I hope you’ll give it a try – I have a feeling you’ll be hooked too. I know I am!