Turkish Delights for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and the MLCC

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Tomorrow I will be presenting the following recipes for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and the MLCC.  That is, with one exception but I'll put both recipes up.  I just couldn't get a hold of enough eggplant for two recipes.  I will be presenting the first recipe but instead of the Toenail of a Dog, I will make Pomegranate White Bean dip.  So easy to prepare and a big flavour for people expecting bland beans.   

Karen Lind, Education Coordinator from the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, presented on spices and plants of the different regions of Turkey and Jody Twomey, of the Manitoba Liquor Marts, presented lovely beverage pairings for each dish as well as a Welcome Cocktail of Cotton Candy Vodka, Frangelico and pomegranate seeds for a Turkish Delight in a Martini Glass.

1. Patli�an Yog�rtl�
Paired with Ogio Prosecco DOC $16.82

1 lg eggplant sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 c plain yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt

Slice and salt eggplant and let sit in a bowl of cold water. If eggplant is very young, skip the step of salt and water. Rinse and squeeze out water from slices.

Mince garlic and stir into yoghurt with salt.

Saut� eggplant slices on medium high heat until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan and let sit for a moment on a paper towel. Place on platter and top with yoghurt mixture. Sprinkle rubbed oregano and paprika over yoghurt. Top with a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with baguette slices or water crackers.

Enjoy!

2. Toenail of a dog - K�pegoglu

1 globe eggplant
1 red pepper
1 leek
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbs olive oil
1/3 cup tahini
1 cup yoghurt
1 tbs dried oregano
Salt and pepper

Wash the eggplant and prick all over with a fork. Drizzle oil over eggplant, whole pepper and the white of the leek. Roast in a hot BBQ, turning occasionally. Remove eggplant when soft. Remove red pepper when blackened and leek when soft and caramelized. Cube eggplant with skin on. Peel blackened skin off of pepper and chop. Slice leek into thin rounds. Mix all ingredients together and chill until serving. Serve with French bread or a baguette.

Enjoy!

2.1 Pomegranate White Bean Dip
Paired with Efes Pilsen Lager $2.73
2 cups cooked white navy beans (aka, canelini)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (unsweetened) or a bit less pomegranate molasses (paste)
Pinch salt, to taste
minced garlic, optional

Pur�e ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve with breads.  Top with pomegranate seeds or paprika and/or olive oil.  Enjoy!

3. Pickerel with Raki
Paired with Tukulu Chenin Blanc $12.85
 
4 filets pickerel
2 tomatoes
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup (less) olive oil
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup fish stock
salt and white pepper, to taste
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 bunch dill
2 tsp raki (Ouzo)

Heat skillet and saut� the garlic and add the onion and saut� for 3-4 minutes. Add bay leaves. Add the vegetables, pour over the stock and simmer for 2 minutes

Season the fish with salt and pepper and place on top of the vegetables. Simmer for about 4 minutes. Chop the dill. Add lemon juice, chopped dill and raki and simmer for about 2 minutes. Arrange the fish and vegetables on a serving dish and serve immediately.

Enjoy!
4. Turkish Pumpkin Dessert (Kabak Tatlisi)
Paired with Longboat Chocolate Porter $5.75 and Prado Alen Rice Pudding Liqueur $29.99 (Hot tip!! try both together!)
This pumpkin dessert is a very easy-to-make popular and traditional recipe.

pumpkin or butternut squash
sugar
4-5 cloves
crushed walnuts

The ratio of pumpkin to sugar is 1 to 1/2. I used 3 cups of squash and 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Peel the pumpkin, cut it into big chunks, and put in a pot. Put sugar on and let it sit over night. It will release water, so you don't need to add water when you're cooking it. The next day, add 4-5 cloves in to the pot and cook on medium until the pumpkin is soft, approximately 30 minutes. Let it cool and garnish with walnuts or grated coconut.

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