Turkish cuisine is renowned worldwide for its rich and diverse desserts. In this article, we will explore some of the most beloved Turkish desserts and how to prepare them.
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet pastry made of thin layers of filo dough filled with nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios, and soaked in syrup.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of filo dough
- 300 grams of butter
- 400 grams of walnuts (or hazelnuts, pistachios)
- 500 grams of sugar
- 300 ml of water
- A few drops of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Melt the butter and skim off the foam.
- Grease a baking tray with butter and layer a sheet of filo dough. Brush each layer with butter as you continue.
- Once you reach halfway, sprinkle the walnuts evenly.
- Continue layering the remaining filo dough, brushing each layer with butter.
- Cut the baklava into diamond shapes and pour the remaining butter over the top.
- Bake at 180°C until golden brown.
- For the syrup, boil the water and sugar, add lemon juice, and boil for a few more minutes. Pour the hot syrup over the cooled baklava.
Künefe
Künefe is a dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, filled with melted cheese, and soaked in syrup.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of shredded phyllo dough
- 250 grams of unsalted cheese (such as Hatay cheese or mozzarella)
- 250 grams of butter
- 500 grams of sugar
- 300 ml of water
- A few drops of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Finely shred the phyllo dough and mix it with melted butter.
- Spread half of the dough in a pan and sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
- Cover with the remaining dough and press it down firmly.
- Cook over medium heat until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
- For the syrup, boil the water and sugar, add lemon juice, and boil for a few more minutes. Pour the hot syrup over the hot künefe.
Lokma
Lokma is a dessert made of small dough balls that are fried and soaked in syrup.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Oil for frying
- 500 grams of sugar
- 300 ml of water
- A few drops of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Mix flour, water, yeast, and salt to make a soft dough. Allow the dough to rise.
- For the syrup, boil the water and sugar, add lemon juice, and boil for a few more minutes.
- Take small pieces of the risen dough and fry in hot oil until golden.
- Dip the fried dough balls into the syrup for a short time and then serve.
Aşure
Aşure, also known as Noah’s Pudding, is a dessert made with wheat, chickpeas, beans, and various dried fruits.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of wheat
- 1 cup of chickpeas
- 1 cup of beans
- 1 cup of dried apricots
- 1 cup of dried figs
- 1 cup of raisins
- 500 grams of sugar
- Water
- Pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and hazelnuts for garnish
Preparation:
- Cook the wheat, chickpeas, and beans separately.
- Chop the dried fruits into small pieces.
- In a large pot, combine the cooked wheat, chickpeas, beans, and chopped dried fruits.
- Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Add the sugar and stir.
- Once the mixture thickens, pour it into bowls and garnish with pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and hazelnuts.
Conclusion
The unique desserts of Turkish cuisine will brighten your tables with their flavors and visuals. These recipes will help you easily prepare these desserts at home, offering an unforgettable feast for your guests. Enjoy!
