Manti are traditional Turkish dumplings filled with spiced ground meat and onions. The dumplings are most commonly topped with a sauce consisting of yogurt and garlic. The name of the dish is derived from mantu, meaning dumplings, and they were originally brought over from Central Asia to T&uuml;rkiye by nomadic Turkish tribes in the 13th century. Today, manti dumplings are popular throughout Turkey, as well as in numerous other cuisines such as Armenian, Afghan, and Central Asian.

Manti

Even though lahmacun is popularly nicknamed Turkish pizza, it's origin is disputed and can be traced to Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkiye. It can be found at numerous street stalls as well as in virtually any traditional restaurant, but also in kebab eateries where they typically serve mini lahmacuns as appetizers. The perfect lahmacun is made by rolling a ball of sturdy semolina dough into a thin disc which is only lightly spread with meat - either lamb or beef, minced to a paste together with chili, onions, and other seasonings. The dish is then shortly baked in a super-hot (and preferably wood-fired) oven. Lahmacun is best served hot with a drizzle of lemon juice. It is traditionally enjoyed folded around the crispy onions and a parsley salad known as piyaz. It is recommended to pair lahmacun either with the salty, cold yogurt beverage called ayran, or şalgam suyu, the barrel-fermented juice of red carrot pickles, which is salted, spiced, and flavored with the aromatic turnip called &ccedil;elem.

Lahmacun

Cağ kebabı is a kebab variety originating from the Turkish city of Erzurum. It is made with lamb that is marinated with onions, salt, and pepper for about 12 hours, and the meat is then placed on a big horizontal skewer and cooked over a wood fire. The usta (master of his trade) will take a long skewer and slice off tender and succulent pieces of lamb until the skewer is full. The dish is traditionally consumed either straight from the skewer, or with the meat wrapped in warm, freshly baked lavash flatbread.

Cağ kebabı

Türkiye

Sucuklu Pide features the bold flavors of sucuk, a spicy, garlic-laden fermented Turkish sausage. Slices of sucuk are arranged over a layer of melting kasar cheese on the boat-shaped dough. During baking, the fat from the sucuk renders out, mingling with the cheese and infusing the entire pide with its spicy, smoky essence. The combination of the crispy crust, gooey cheese, and flavorful sausage makes Sucuklu Pide a crowd-pleaser and a staple in Turkish restaurants everywhere. It is a hearty dish that packs a punch of flavor in every bite.

Sucuk Pide

Italy

Italy&rsquo;s most emblematic culinary creation, the genuine pizza Napoletana is made with just a few simple ingredients and prepared in only two variations &ndash; marinara, the basic Neapolitan pizza topped with a tomato-based sauce flavored with garlic and oregano, and margherita, which is topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves, a delicious combination whose colors are said to represent the Italian flag. The crust is very thin at the base, and the dough puffs up on the sides, which results in airy crust that should have typical charred 'leopard spots' if baked properly. The origins of this iconic Neapolitan dish can be traced to the early 1700s, when what we know today as pizza marinara was first described by Italian chef, writer, and philosopher Vincenzo Corrado in his treatise on the eating habits of the people of Naples. Almost 200 years later, in 1889, the premier Neapolitan master pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito added mozzarella to the mix and invented the margherita, which is now generally cited as the first modern pizza. Originally dubbed la pizza tricolore, Esposito&rsquo;s creation is said to have been made in honor of and named after Margherita of Savoy, the Queen consort of the Kingdom of Italy, who was visiting Naples at the time. In 2010, as one of Italy&rsquo;s most popular foods worldwide, pizza Napoletana was officially recognized by the European Union and granted the designation of Traditional Specialty Guaranteed. And remember, a good pizza Napoletana doesn't need any additions other than the designated toppings.

Pizza Napoletana

In the American, French, German, Brazilian, and Korean systems of primal beef cuts, the tenderloin is a cut from the loin, which is located towards the back of the cow, nestled under the ribs, next to the backbone. It spans two primal cuts: the short loin and the sirloin. The tenderloin is one of the most tender cuts of beef as it comes from a muscle that doesn't get much exercise. It is also one of the most highly prized and correspondingly expensive cuts of beef, due to its tenderness and flavor. Given the tenderness of this cut, the tenderloin is often cooked quickly over high heat, with methods such as grilling or broiling. It's often served slightly rare to maintain its tender texture.

Tenderloin

Adana kebap is a popular skewered meat dish named after one of the most famous kebab cities in the country, Adana. This kebab is made with ground lamb and tail fat that are kneaded together with garlic, onion, paprika, and hot red pepper flakes, giving it a deep red color and a spicy flavor. The whole concoction is typically placed around large and flat metal skewers, then grilled. Once it's done, the grilled meat is traditionally served on a platter over flatbreads, peppers, and tomatoes, or stuffed into pita bread along with a salad consisting of parsley and red onions. Before the pita is rolled, the meat is usually topped with roasted chilies, salt, cumin, and sumac. It is recommended to pair Adana kebap with ayran &ndash; a slightly salty, yogurt-based beverage or şalgam, a non-alcoholic fermented beverage made from vegetables and red carrots.

Adana kebap

United States

Shortribs are a cut of beef taken from the brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas of cattle. Known for their rich marbling and deep flavor, they are often slow-cooked or braised to achieve a tender, fall-off-the-bone texture. Popular in American, Korean, and French cuisines, shortribs are traditionally prepared with ingredients like garlic, onions, soy sauce, wine, and various herbs. In Korean cuisine, they are famously used in dishes such as 'Galbi' and are marinated before grilling. In the U.S., they are a staple in barbecue culture and comfort food recipes. The cooking method and seasoning vary by region and cultural tradition, but the result is a flavorful and hearty dish.

Shortribs

Slow Roasted Beef Toast is a composed savory dish that combines long-cooked beef with toasted bread as a base, integrating elements of classical slow-roasting techniques with contemporary bistro and casual dining formats. The concept originates from European roasting traditions, where large cuts of beef were historically cooked at low temperatures over extended periods to maximize tenderness, moisture retention, and depth of flavor. While the practice of slow roasting beef is rooted in Western culinary heritage, serving the meat on toast reflects more modern influences from café culture and open-faced sandwich traditions found across France, the United Kingdom, and Northern Europe. The dish has since become popular in contemporary restaurants and home kitchens as a flexible format for showcasing high-quality beef in a convenient, portioned presentation.

From a technical culinary perspective, the beef component is typically prepared from tougher, collagen-rich cuts such as chuck, brisket, or topside, which respond well to prolonged low-temperature roasting. The meat is commonly seasoned with salt and pepper, seared to promote Maillard browning, and then slow-roasted in a controlled oven environment, sometimes with aromatics such as onion, garlic, carrot, celery, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary. The extended cooking process allows connective tissue to convert into gelatin, resulting in a succulent, shreddable or sliceable texture. The cooking medium may include stock, wine, or a combination thereof to support moisture retention and to build a concentrated roasting jus that can be reduced into a sauce or gravy for service.

Culturally, Slow Roasted Beef Toast reflects the evolution of traditional roast meat dishes into contemporary, accessible forms. In many European food cultures, slow-roasted beef is associated with family meals, festive gatherings, and Sunday roasts, symbolizing comfort food and culinary continuity. Presenting the beef on toast aligns with modern dining trends that favor open-faced sandwiches, small plates, and versatile menu items suitable for brunch, lunch, or light dinner service. In urban café settings, the dish is often positioned as a premium toast option, bridging the gap between rustic home cooking and refined casual dining. The format also resonates with nose-to-tail and waste-reduction philosophies, as slow roasting enables efficient utilization of less expensive cuts without compromising sensory quality.

In terms of composition, the toast base is typically made from sturdy bread such as sourdough, country loaf, or brioche, toasted to provide structural integrity and textural contrast. The bread may be brushed with olive oil or butter and lightly rubbed with garlic. The beef is layered or pulled onto the toast and complemented with additional components such as caramelized onions, horseradish cream, mustard, pickles, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh herbs. Nutritionally, the dish is protein-dense and provides iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins from beef, while the bread contributes carbohydrates for energy. The overall fat content varies depending on the cut of beef and the use of butter or sauces. From a food safety standpoint, proper temperature control during slow roasting, adequate resting time, and hygienic handling of cooked meat are essential to prevent microbial risks, particularly when the dish is prepared in advance and reheated for service.

Slow Roasted Beef Toast

The Shredded Burger (Tiftik) is a Turkish-inspired specialty prepared with slow-cooked lamb that is hand-pulled into fine strands, giving it a fibrous texture. Served in a burger bun with vegetables such as lettuce, onion, and tomato, it is often paired with sauces like garlic yogurt, tahini, or spicy pepper paste. This dish combines the deep flavors of Anatolian lamb traditions with the modern appeal of the burger, creating a unique cultural fusion.

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hurkanakbiyik's Favorite Foods

Manti

Lahmacun

Cağ kebabı

Sucuk Pide

Pizza Napoletana

Tenderloin

Adana kebap

Shortribs

Slow Roasted Beef Toast

Shredded Burger (Tiftik)

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