Turkish-Style Istanbul Odrezak

Ingredients

In this Turkish adaptation of Zagrebački odrezak, we incorporate traditional Turkish spices and flavors to give the dish a distinctively Turkish twist. The original Croatian dish typically uses pork or veal cutlets, while the Turkish version can be made with a variety of meats such as lamb, beef, or chicken. Additionally, the breadcrumb mixture is enhanced with Turkish spices like cumin, paprika, and sumac, which add a unique depth of flavor to the dish. The traditional Croatian side dishes are replaced with a creamy yogurt sauce and a refreshing salad, reflecting the Turkish culinary preferences. We alse have the original recipe for Zagrebački odrezak, so you can check it out.

• 4 meat cutlets (lamb, beef, or chicken) 4 meat cutlets (lamb, beef, or chicken)
• 1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sumac 1 teaspoon sumac
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil for frying Vegetable oil for frying
• For the yogurt sauce: For the yogurt sauce:
• 1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt 1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• For the salad: For the salad:
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, flour, cumin, paprika, sumac, salt, and pepper.
2. 2.
   Dip each meat cutlet into the beaten eggs, then coat it evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Fry the cutlets for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. 5.
   Remove the cutlets from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt to make the yogurt sauce. Set aside.
7. 7.
   In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the salad.
8. 8.
   Serve the Turkish-Style Istanbul Odrezak hot, accompanied by the yogurt sauce and salad.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Meat cutlets — For the best results, choose tender cuts of meat and pound them to an even thickness before coating them with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Sumac — Sumac adds a tangy and slightly citrusy flavor to the dish. If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with lemon zest.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispy crust, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the cutlets.
• Serve the dish with warm pita bread to soak up the delicious yogurt sauce.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices in the salad to add your own twist to the dish.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
• For a lighter version, you can bake the cutlets in the oven instead of frying them.

Serving advice

Serve Turkish-Style Istanbul Odrezak hot, accompanied by the creamy yogurt sauce and refreshing salad. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or mint for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden brown cutlets on a platter, drizzle the yogurt sauce over them, and sprinkle the salad on the side. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of sumac for an elegant touch.