Eggplant Salad

This recipe is from my good friend, and fabulous Turkish cook, Umit. She served this when we visited her recently, and it was thoroughly delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium eggplant
  
• 1 small bell pepper (red, green or yellow)
  
• 1 large tomato
  
• 2 small onions
  
• 1/2 bunch parsley
  
• 2 cloves garlic
  
• juice of 1 lemon
  
• 2 Tbs olive oil
  
• salt, pepper

Directions:

Wash the eggplant and prick all over with a fork. Place on a grill and cook evenly by turning occasionally in the oven. When the skin of the eggplant looks quite burnt, test it with fork and make sure the flesh is soft right through.

Let eggplant cool down while preparing the others ingredients. Cut tomato, bell pepper, onion, and parsley into small pieces> Add crushed garlic and mix. Slice the eggplant and add to others. Season with salt pepper, oil and fresh lemon juice.

Turkish Pop Music -- Mustafa Sandal and Yasar

I thought I'd give you all a taste of some modern Turkish culture with a couple of clips from some of my favorite Turkish singers.

I absolutely love "Divane" by Yasar. The guitar, the singing, and the atmosphere are fantastic.



This song, "Jest Oldum," is from Mustafa Sandal (Musti). Musti is one of the most popular Turkish pop singers.



Both of these are from 1996 because that's during the time I was living there. Yasar and Musti both have more recent stuff out, but these are two of my favorites.

Ummuhan's Green Beans with Eggs

Here's a recipe that my beloved, and very, very funny sister-in-law sent me. She says this is a great recipe, simple to make, and quite delicious.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups green beans
2 eggs
2 TBS butter
salt to taste
red pepper flakes
yogurt garlic sauce

Directions:

Cut green beans very short (0.25"). Fry two eggs until they are all solid, then mash them with a fork into small pieces. Stir the cut green beans and eggs together, then cook in a covered skillet over low heat. Green beans will cook with beans juice. As they cook, add salt and red pepper flakes. Serve topped with garlic yogurt on it.