Dinner Time

You know as an American family, dinner times can be many different things. Sometimes dinner can be grabbing your plate of food prepared by your parent and taking it to your room, enjoying while watching TV, studying, or browsing the internet. Sometimes, dinner is enjoyed at the dinner table with the family, where you talk about what happened during the day and then leave immediately after the food was inhaled. Other times you may grab the plate of food and crowd around the tube (TV), not saying a thing, but paying attention to the comedy show, reality show, or daily news.

One of the things I love about dinner time in Turkey is not just the absolutely fresh and fulfilling food that is served, but rather the conversations. Typically it is started by a simple thing that happened earlier in the day, but then is extended to a very intriguing and sometimes intense conversation. When the food is all gone, they stay at the table and talk for another half an hour. After a while it is typical, if it’s not too late, someone offers to prepare Turkish coffee. This then leaves for at least another hour of conversation and fortune reading.

If you don’t know a typical thing to do after drinking a small cup of Turkish coffee, you cover the cup, flip it over while wishing something, and then the fortune will be read by another person after the cup has cooled. The easiest way I can explain this is through Harry Potter where they are looking at their personal objects.

I love the Turkish culture for many things it offers to the family and friendships. Conversation is a very easy thing to strike up, especially over dinner or Turkish coffee. This is something I would love to carry over to America. Dinner time that lasts more than the meal, conversations that can solve the world’s problems, and fortunes to explain the future. Maybe with even an hour of sanity over dinner, we can all find relaxation and health over good nourishment.

Turkish Rice (Pilav)

One of the typical and simple dishes in Turkey is Pilaf (Rice). This is one of my favorites, and you may be thinking, rice? This rice however is moist, warm, and so smooth to the palate. Since it is one of my favorites, I figured I would share the best way to wake rice, the Turkish way!

Ingredients:
2 cups of long-grain rice
2 cups of hot water
About 6 tbsp butter or Vegetable Oil (The oil should cover the rice when used)
2 tsp salt
Pinch of pepper

Wash the rice several times with warm water and drain, until the water is clear. Then fill the bowl of rice with hot water and leave for about 15 minutes, then drain. Melt the butter or pour the vegetable oil in a cooking pot. If using vegetable oil (I prefer) then make sure that all the rice is covered. Saute the rice with butter/oil for 2-3 minutes while stirring. The rice will become clumping, this is a good sign. Pour 2 cups of hot water in it. Add salt and pepper. Turn the heat to low, cover with lid, and cook until the rice absorbs all the water. This will take approx. 15 minutes.

Take the cooking pot away from the heat, when it is finished. Open the lid, and let the Pilaf stand for about 5 minutes. After the "brewing time" you are ready to serve!


VERY IMPORTANT POINTS YOU MUST FOLLOW:

***Don't stir Pilaf while it's cooking.***
*** Don't use a spoon to fluff Pilaf. Use a wooden or regular fork for it.***

Other notes:
* You can deviate and mix in shredded cooked chicken or chickpeas in when you add the water to the cooked rice. This is another great option that the Turks, as well as I, enjoy.

Makes 6-8 servings.

You can serve Turkish Rice Pilaf with any meal. My favorite is mixing in PLAIN yogurt and served with some chopped fresh greens (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, with vinegar and olive oil).

Afiyet Olsun! / / May it bring you appetite and health!