Turkish olive paste, also known as zeytin ezmesi, is a delicious and versatile condiment that is essential in Turkish cuisine. Made from a blend of olives, olive oil, and various herbs and spices, this paste is packed with flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the traditional Turkish olive paste recipe and learn how to make it at home. So grab your apron and let's get cooking!
Pasta Shells with Mozzarella, Tomatoes and Basil...
Main Ingredients: Cherry Tomatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Extra Virgin Olive
This beer can chicken recipe is a delicious twist on a classic Italian dish. The combination of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil creates a harmonious blend of flavors that pair perfectly with the juicy, tender chicken cooked on a beer can. The pasta shells cook al dente, providing a satisfying texture to the dish. This is a must-try for any pasta lovers looking to spice up their dinner routine.
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The Lazy Monday Morning Breakfast Galette
Main Ingredients: Butter, Flour, Granulated Sugar, Salt, Ice Water, Large
This beer can chicken recipe is not just for dinner - it's perfect for breakfast too! The crispy, flaky pastry crust is filled with sausage, eggs, and cheese, making it a hearty and satisfying morning meal. The beer can chicken adds a unique flavor to the galette, making it stand out from traditional breakfast dishes. Plus, it's quick and easy to prepare, making it the perfect lazy Monday morning breakfast.
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Acma Pastry With Olive Paste
Main Ingredients: Flour, Milk, Warm Water, Vegetable Oil, Fresh Yeast
This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from Turkish cuisine, using acma pastry as the base for the dish. The flaky, buttery pastry is filled with a rich and flavorful olive paste, creating a savory and satisfying combination. The beer can chicken adds a unique and unexpected twist to this traditional Turkish pastry dish. Serve it as a delicious appetizer or as a main course with a side salad.
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Pressed Brick Sandwich #SundaySupper
Main Ingredients: Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Dijon Mustard, Balsamic
This beer can chicken recipe is perfect for a casual Sunday supper with friends and family. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful mix of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection on a beer can. The meat is then shredded and used to create a pressed brick sandwich with layers of crusty bread, melted cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce. It's a messy and delicious meal that everyone will love.
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Pizza Snails
Main Ingredients: Dough, Lukewarm Water, Instant Yeast, Sea Salt, Sugar
If you love pizza, you'll love this beer can chicken recipe for pizza snails. The juicy and flavorful chicken is combined with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, then rolled up and sliced into savory snails. They make the perfect finger food for parties or a fun twist on pizza night with the family.
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Rosemary Wrapped Roast Leg of Lamb
Main Ingredients: Leg Of Lamb, Garlic, Anchovy Fillets, Freshly Ground
This beer can chicken recipe takes a classic roast leg of lamb and adds a flavorful twist with rosemary wrapped around the meat. The beer can adds moisture and flavor to the lamb as it cooks, resulting in a tender and succulent dish. Serve it with your favorite roasted vegetables for a delicious and elegant dinner.
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Stuffed Eggplant Mini-Rolls
Main Ingredients: Grilled Eggplant, Fresh Goat Cheese, Olive Paste, Pine
This beer can chicken recipe adds a Mediterranean twist to stuffed eggplant by using mini-rolls instead of traditional stuffed eggplants. The beer can keeps the chicken moist and adds a unique flavor, while the savory stuffing of feta cheese and herbs creates a flavor explosion in every bite. These mini-rolls are perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish.
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Oat Crackers With Olives And Herbs
Main Ingredients: Oats, Coconut Oil, Olive Paste, Herbs De Provence
These beer can chicken recipes are perfect for snacking on during movie night or as an appetizer at your next party. The crispy and crunchy oat crackers are topped with a savory mix of olives and herbs, creating a delicious and addictive snack. The beer can chicken adds a unique twist to this classic cracker topping, making it stand out from the rest.
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Delimaniac Sandwich
Main Ingredients: Smoked Turkey Breast, Salami, Cheddar, Bread, Olive
This beer can chicken recipe is for all the sandwich lovers out there. The beer can cooks the chicken to perfection, resulting in tender and juicy meat that is then used to create a delicious sandwich. The bread is topped with a creamy avocado spread, crispy bacon, and ripe tomatoes, making it a savory and satisfying meal.
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Red Pepper And Feta Eggplant Rolls
Main Ingredients: Eggplants, Olive Oil, Olive Paste, Lemon, Chili Flakes
This beer can chicken recipe combines the flavors of roasted red pepper and feta cheese to create a unique and delicious dish. The beer can keeps the chicken moist and adds a rich and savory flavor to the meat. The eggplant rolls are flavorful and filling, making them a great option for a light and healthy meal.
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Greek Salad With Feta Cheese Dressing
Main Ingredients: Tomatoes, Cucumber, Spring Onion, Coriander Seeds
This beer can chicken recipe takes a classic Greek salad and adds a twist with a creamy feta cheese dressing. The beer can keeps the chicken moist and adds a delicious flavor to the dish. The salad is filled with fresh and crisp vegetables, creating a light and refreshing meal that is perfect for warmer weather.
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Black Angus Flank Steak and Kalamata Olives, façon Les...
Main Ingredients: Flank Steak, Cauliflower, Cauliflower Florets, Confit
This beer can chicken recipe is a French-inspired dish that is sure to impress. The beer can keeps the chicken moist and adds a rich and unique flavor to the dish. The addition of black angus flank steak and kalamata olives takes this dish to the next level, creating a sophisticated and delicious meal.
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Oysters with Iced Tomato Frito
Main Ingredients: Oysters, Onions, Tomato Paste, Beefsteak Tomatoes
Oysters are a classic seafood dish, and this beer can chicken recipe adds a unique twist by topping them with an iced tomato frito. The beer can adds a rich and savory flavor to the oysters, while the frito adds a refreshing and tangy element. It's a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion.
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Pasta Fresca | Fresh Pasta
Main Ingredients: Flour, Eggs, Olive Oil, Ricotta, Honey, Salt, Pepper
If you love fresh pasta, you'll love this beer can chicken recipe. The chicken is cooked on a beer can to keep it moist and flavorful, while the fresh pasta is made from scratch using simple ingredients. The combination of the two creates a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cozy night in.
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Prawn Saganaki
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Olive Paste, Crushed Tomatoes, Dry White
This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from Greek cuisine, using prawns instead of chicken. The beer can keeps the prawns moist and adds a unique and delicious flavor to the dish. The saganaki is a creamy and flavorful tomato and feta sauce that pairs perfectly with the prawns. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and enjoy a taste of Greece at home.
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Cherry Turkish Taffy
Main Ingredients: Egg White, Sugar, Water, Cornstarch, Cherry Jam, Butter
This beer can chicken recipe takes a sweet twist with a Turkish taffy made from fresh cherries. The beer can adds a rich and unique flavor to the chicken, while the taffy is a sweet and indulgent treat. It's the perfect dessert to end a flavorful and satisfying meal.
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Greek Yogurt Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama)
Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Greek Style Yogurt
This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from Turkish cuisine with a flatbread made from Greek yogurt. The chicken is cooked on a beer can to keep it moist and flavorful, while the flatbread is a soft and chewy accompaniment. The combination of the two creates a satisfying and unique meal that is perfect for a casual dinner with friends and family.
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Menemen (Turkish Egg Scramble)
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, White Onion, Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
This beer can chicken recipe is a twist on a classic Turkish dish, menemen. The beer can adds a rich and savory flavor to the chicken, while the eggs are scrambled with tomatoes, onions, and spices to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and enjoy a taste of Turkey at home.
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Turkish Cacik
Main Ingredients: Plain Yogurt, Cucumbers, Chopped Walnuts, Fresh Dill
This beer can chicken recipe adds a refreshing and tangy element to the dish with a side of Turkish cacik. This yogurt and cucumber dip is the perfect accompaniment to the rich and flavorful chicken cooked on a beer can. It's a cool and delicious addition to any meal.
This beer can chicken recipe takes a traditional Turkish dish, gozleme, and adds a meaty twist with minced lamb. The beer can keeps the chicken moist and adds a unique and delicious flavor to the dish. The gozleme is a flaky and savory flatbread filled with minced lamb, vegetables, and herbs. It's a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.
The Importance of Olive Paste in Turkish Cuisine
Olive paste has been a staple in Turkish cuisine for centuries, and for good reason. Not only does it add a burst of flavor to any dish, but it also has numerous health benefits. Olive paste is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering cholesterol levels. It is also a good source of vitamin E, antioxidants, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium.
In Turkish cuisine, olive paste is used in a variety of dishes, from spreads and dips to stews and sauces. It adds a rich and savory taste to dishes, making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in both meat and vegetarian dishes.
The Traditional Turkish Olive Paste Recipe
Now that we understand the importance of olive paste in Turkish cuisine, let's dive into the traditional recipe. The key to making the perfect olive paste lies in the quality of the olives used. It is recommended to use high-quality, flavorful olives, such as Kalamata or Turkish black olives.
To start, you will need to pit and chop the olives into small pieces. Next, mix them with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also add in herbs such as oregano, thyme, or parsley for added flavor.
Once all the ingredients are combined, blend them in a food processor until you have a smooth and creamy paste. You can adjust the consistency by adding more olive oil if needed. Transfer the olive paste into a jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ways to Use Turkish Olive Paste
Now that you have your homemade olive paste, it's time to put it to use in some delicious dishes. One popular way to enjoy it is by spreading it on crusty bread and topping it with feta cheese, tomatoes, and herbs for a quick and tasty appetizer. You can also mix it into pasta sauces, soups, or use it as a marinade for grilled meats.
In conclusion, Turkish olive paste is a versatile and flavorful condiment that adds a touch of Mediterranean flavor to any dish. With its numerous health benefits and delicious taste, it's no wonder it has been a staple in Turkish cuisine for centuries. So next time you're looking to add some depth to your dishes, give this traditional Turkish olive paste recipe a try!
