If you need a break from the same old food you're always ordering when eating out, maybe it's time to try some ethnic cuisine. The exotic food from the eastern Mediterranean will have your mouth watering and if you live on Long Island, you don't even have to go all the way into Manhattan to find what you're looking for. In fact, for a great Turkish restaurant East Meadow, Centereach and other Long Island spots have a surprising selection on offer.
Turkey is a country where many different culture meet and this diversity is reflected in the country's cuisine. The cultures of Greece, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central Asia all left their mark during the time these regions were part of or in close contact with the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey. Ingredients are usually fresh and full of flavor.
To start your culinary journey, try a platter with several appetizers. These may include pickles, olives, cheese, dolmeh with their vine-leaf wrappings, golden falafel balls and small spinach and feta or feta and herb pies. Accompanying everything you'll normally find some tasty dips, including hummus and eggplant-based baba ghanoush.
Soup is an important part of a Turkish meal and the perfect way to drive away the cold. However, there are also cold and light soups for warmer weather. When it's sunny out, you may prefer a salad bursting with eggplant, feta cheese, tomatoes and maybe something more substantial such as grilled octopus or bulgur wheat.
The kebab is a famous meat specialty in Turkey and is most often made with chicken, beef or lamb. Grilled lamb chops are popular too and in cold weather, nothing beats a hearty stew. However, Turkey's location on both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea means that grilled fish and seafood dishes are common in the country's cuisine too. These dishes are often accompanied by the flavors of olive oil, lemon juice and garlic.
Vegetarians will be spoiled for choice in a Turkish restaurant. The abundance of vegetables in most areas of Turkey has given rise to a variety of delicious meat-free dishes bursting with the flavors of eggplant, bell peppers, onions and zucchini. Falafel and grilled vegetables are great for a lighter meal but if you're very hungry, you may want to opt for pilaf or a rich moussaka instead.
At the end of the meal you may want something sweet and Turkey's dessert repertoire will not disappoint. For something light, try an ice cream in an exotic flavor such as rose water or a dessert based on figs, quinces or other Mediterranean fruit. Traditional Turkish rice pudding is the perfect end to a hearty cold-weather meal. Have a cup of strong coffee too and don't forget to order a slice of syrupy baklava to go.
There are several Long Island restaurants that specialize in the cuisines of Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. You simply need to check the local listings, search online or ask around for recommendations for one in, say, East Meadow NY. Many of these establishments also deliver, making it ever more convenient to bring the exotic right to your home.
Turkey is a country where many different culture meet and this diversity is reflected in the country's cuisine. The cultures of Greece, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central Asia all left their mark during the time these regions were part of or in close contact with the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey. Ingredients are usually fresh and full of flavor.
To start your culinary journey, try a platter with several appetizers. These may include pickles, olives, cheese, dolmeh with their vine-leaf wrappings, golden falafel balls and small spinach and feta or feta and herb pies. Accompanying everything you'll normally find some tasty dips, including hummus and eggplant-based baba ghanoush.
Soup is an important part of a Turkish meal and the perfect way to drive away the cold. However, there are also cold and light soups for warmer weather. When it's sunny out, you may prefer a salad bursting with eggplant, feta cheese, tomatoes and maybe something more substantial such as grilled octopus or bulgur wheat.
The kebab is a famous meat specialty in Turkey and is most often made with chicken, beef or lamb. Grilled lamb chops are popular too and in cold weather, nothing beats a hearty stew. However, Turkey's location on both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea means that grilled fish and seafood dishes are common in the country's cuisine too. These dishes are often accompanied by the flavors of olive oil, lemon juice and garlic.
Vegetarians will be spoiled for choice in a Turkish restaurant. The abundance of vegetables in most areas of Turkey has given rise to a variety of delicious meat-free dishes bursting with the flavors of eggplant, bell peppers, onions and zucchini. Falafel and grilled vegetables are great for a lighter meal but if you're very hungry, you may want to opt for pilaf or a rich moussaka instead.
At the end of the meal you may want something sweet and Turkey's dessert repertoire will not disappoint. For something light, try an ice cream in an exotic flavor such as rose water or a dessert based on figs, quinces or other Mediterranean fruit. Traditional Turkish rice pudding is the perfect end to a hearty cold-weather meal. Have a cup of strong coffee too and don't forget to order a slice of syrupy baklava to go.
There are several Long Island restaurants that specialize in the cuisines of Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. You simply need to check the local listings, search online or ask around for recommendations for one in, say, East Meadow NY. Many of these establishments also deliver, making it ever more convenient to bring the exotic right to your home.
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