Turkish-style Tapas

Ingredients

While Spanish tapas often feature ingredients like chorizo and Manchego cheese, Turkish-style tapas incorporate flavors such as yogurt, eggplant, and Middle Eastern spices like sumac and za'atar. The use of herbs like parsley, mint, and dill is also prominent in Turkish cuisine, adding a refreshing twist to the traditional tapas experience. We alse have the original recipe for Tapas, so you can check it out.

• 250g (8.8 oz) Greek yogurt 250g (8.8 oz) Greek yogurt
• 2 medium eggplants 2 medium eggplants
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sumac 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1 teaspoon za'atar 1 teaspoon za'atar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped Fresh parsley, chopped
• Fresh mint leaves, chopped Fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Fresh dill, chopped Fresh dill, chopped
• Pita bread, for serving Pita bread, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 10g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   Slice the eggplants into 1cm (0.4 inch) thick rounds. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. 3.
   Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and tender.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, sumac, za'atar, salt, and pepper.
5. 5.
   Arrange the roasted eggplant slices on a serving platter. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the eggplants.
6. 6.
   Sprinkle the chopped parsley, mint, and dill on top.
7. 7.
   Serve the Turkish-style tapas with warm pita bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggplants — To reduce bitterness, sprinkle salt on the sliced eggplants and let them sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and patting dry.
• Greek yogurt — Use thick Greek yogurt for a creamy and rich texture in the sauce.
• Sumac — This tangy spice adds a unique flavor to the dish. If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with lemon zest.
• Za'atar — Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend. If you don't have it, you can make your own by combining dried thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, drizzle the roasted eggplants with a little pomegranate molasses before adding the yogurt sauce.
• Serve the Turkish-style tapas with a side of olives, pickled vegetables, and Turkish cheese for a complete meze experience.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavors of your tapas.
• If you prefer a smoky flavor, you can grill the eggplant slices instead of roasting them.
• Make extra yogurt sauce and use it as a dip for fresh vegetables or as a dressing for salads.

Serving advice

Serve the Turkish-style tapas as a starter or part of a meze spread. Arrange the roasted eggplant slices on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with warm pita bread for dipping and scooping up the creamy yogurt sauce.

Presentation advice

To make the dish visually appealing, arrange the roasted eggplant slices in a circular pattern on the serving platter. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the eggplants in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle the chopped herbs on top for a pop of color. Serve with warm pita bread on the side.