Sunday 27 April 2014

Turkey - Where History Comes to Life


Culture is the foundation of Turkish Republic. - Ataturk


Turkey is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world, with stunning scenery and rich historic legacy. Turkey is a vast and varied country boasting incredible landscapes and natural wonders bordered by four different seas. Well known as a great destination for relaxing beach holidays, it also offers many sporting activities, some of the world’s most important ancient monuments, welcoming Turkish hospitality and a delicious and varied national cuisine. A mesmerizing mix of the exotic and the familiar, Turkey is much more than its clichéd image of a “bridge between East and West”. Invaded and settled from every direction since the start of recorded history, it combines influences from the Middle East and the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Central Asia. Mosques coexist with churches, Roman theatres and temples crumble near ancient Hittite cities, and dervish ceremonies and gypsy festivals are as much a part of the social landscape as classical music concerts or football matches.



Dolma

The word ‘dolma’ comes from the Turkish word ‘dolmak’ which means ‘to be filled’ or ‘to be stuffed’. Dolma is one of the most popular dishes in the current modern Turkey dating back to the Turkish Empire (Ottoman Empire) era. It is also a worldwide well-known dish. Various regions in Turkey make dolma in different ways such as using nuts and raisins in the dolma stuffing. Generally, when dolmas are made with olive oil and without meat, it is eaten cold and when dolmas are made using butter or vegetable oil and meat, it is served warm. Dolmas are always made with meat using butter.


Preparation of the 'dolma' involves several steps, but it can be fun. First, a small cap is delicately cut from the top of each vegetable, then the center is scooped out with a small teaspoon. After salting the insides, simply fill the hollow vegetables with your meat filling, replace the cap and steam to perfection.


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