A Greek Touch to Turkish Cuisine " Meze"

A Legend says Ottoman ruler, Suleyman the Magnifıcent introduced mezes by giving slaves small portions of his meals to ensure his safety. Eventually, the portions became known as meze, a Persian word for pleasant taste. Mezes are appetizers but a few hours in a meyhane (a tavern serving drinks and meze) will prove it’s not merely a snack but a whole eating experience. 

Nowadays, Meze is very well known by Greek food lovers as a Greek dinner can not be complete without mezes. So what are the examples include ?

Beyaz Peynir: creamy White sheep or goat’s milk cheese, similar to feta

Cacik (pronounced “jajik”): Yogurt with cucumber and mint

Acli Ezme: Spicy tomato dip

Haydari: Yogurt, dill and garlic

Sigara böreği: Deep-fried cigar-shaped pastries filled with cheese

Yaprak dolma/sarma: Vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice and pine nuts

Patlican Salatasi: Eggplant, tomato and garlic salad

You can eat meze with a glass of wine but my recommendation will be sipping Raki ( local alcoholic drink) is made of aniseed. The right way to drink Raki should be is slowly and carefully! Its drinken in a tiny glass and fixed with cold water and ice. Never put the ice first then you will ruin raki and change the taste. Ice always come last.If you brave enough you can also drink it straight but ready to become drunk and feel like a lion. Then you will understand why locals call Raki as "Lion's Milk".

Ready to cook meze? Watch the video and good luck!