Istanbul in three bites

For: Alex Zurdo (text and photos)
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“…my those circles were unbearable for me pure and soulless artificial, I slowly went like more alleys of the city and its images of bitterness…"Orhan Pamuk, "Istanbul".

Istanbul. Constantinopolis. It is certainly one of the most beautiful cities I know, and one that makes me feel alive and happy to visit. Walking neighborhoods, cross the Galata Bridge and again looking at fishermen, up the streets of Pera, take the ferry to Asia… I do not think anyone could have picked a stage as grand and melancholy to build a city.

Sutanhamet is the most touristic, full of temples and monuments, Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, the streets around the Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace… Everything is fine, beautiful and full of places that impact.

I recommend you forget these streets somewhat plasticized and its restaurants where, oh surprise, not find any Turkish

But if you eat it, seriously eating, I recommend that you forget these streets somewhat plasticized and its restaurants where, oh surprise, not find any Turkish, but only tourists. Places where menus are expensive, predictable and, too often, cooked without the main ingredient, love. If you find eating Turkish food Turkish, in places where normal people with love and care kitchen Get into the other Istanbul, the cover is not in the guides, which stain and smell.

The delights of Turkish cuisine, heir to the diversity and richness of the Ottoman Empire, are well known and are superbly represented in the ancient capital; kebabs, pizzas, dolmas, Kurdish cuisine, böreck stuffed with spinach and cheese, rustic or sophisticated vegetable stews sweets. The best thing is lost through the neighborhoods and eat at any bar, on any street, surrounded by people passing, the boys who shared tea and constant marketing…

Conditions, investigates, eat and enjoy. Do not be afraid.

I would recommend you 3 dishes that I've loved in my last visit. They are simple and familiar things, but cooked with a mixture of passion and perfection that made me fall in love with them;

1- Calls- In Turkey 2 pizza types, a round, the "lahmacum" and other boat-shaped, the "ask". This is more substantial and my favorite. Choose a room with wood stove and demand that you make at the time the, because in many places have already prepared and just get the overheat. Besides the spectacle of seeing her kneading, eat something really delicious. I love the mixed or "Requests Sarisik". A thin crispy and, lovingly wrapping 3 meats; "Sausage" (sausage with garlic), "Pastirma" (lamb jerky) and minced, besides "kasar" (cheese Black Sea), tomato, roasted green chiles and a beaten egg. All oven roasted and served with plenty of sweet paprika over. You'll find all over town, but avoids tourist sites, and find those where the teacher loved her at the time for you. For example in the streets around the mosque of Rustem Pasa, beyond the congested area of ​​the Spice Bazaar.

Besides the spectacle of seeing her kneading, eat something really delicious

2- Tava Hamsi- Just fried anchovies, cooked together in a skillet, so that they stick to each other as a flower. In Istanbul mackerel sandwiches and rice stuffed mussels take fame, but these fishes are a real highlight… There are many places to try, but I recommend you cross the Galata Bridge, towards Pera, left, look between the bars and fish market, where fish go directly from the network to fire. Or you take a ferry to Uskudar and passes, one of the districts of Asia. In both places are fresh anchovies, freshly caught, and let them fry until golden and crisp. Served with lemon, pan, salad and a warm black tea…

3- Adana Kebab- Skewers of grilled minced meat. It is usually prepared with a mixture of lamb and beef, well seasoned with spicy paprika, onion, it, pepper and parsley. When coals are ready on delicious, very juicy and mildly spiced, fat enough to have a slight rubbery texture, nothing dry. Served with "bulgur,"Roasted green peppers, yoghurt batido, “lavash” (thin, flat bread) and "ezme" (fresh tomato sauce). Si puedes encontrar un lugar donde tengan la parrilla en el mismo salón donde se come mejor que mejor. Do not hesitate, acóplate off the coals and enjoy. I could eat a dozen skewers…

Also I recommend other 3 things to drink and dessert. To drink "Cay" or black tea. The awesome fresh squeezed "nar" (pomegranate). And especially "Ayran", yoghurt smoothie with water and salt. It is refreshing, healthy, and is very very good. And as dessert looks for "fistikli", another variation of the ubiquitous "baklava", but a thousand times better. A rollito frito de masa, dipped in honey syrup and pistachio powder over. Rarely have I eaten something so good…

Good luck and enjoy in Constantinople!!

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