Baba ganoush is one of those mezze dishes I keep coming back to. Smoky eggplant, tahini, lemon, and olive oil, nothing complicated, just a few good ingredients handled properly. It’s the kind of dip that quietly anchors a table, whether it’s part of a bigger meze spread or just something to scoop up with warm bread while dinner comes together. I usually make it when I have eggplants that need using or when I want something simple but satisfying on the table. It works just as

Piyaz is one of those salads that shows up quietly on the table and somehow works with everything. It’s simple, built around white beans, but never boring. A good olive oil, lemon, sumac, and a handful of fresh herbs are really all it needs. I usually make it as a side for grilled meat or fish, but it also holds its own as a light lunch. It’s filling without being heavy, fresh without trying too hard, and easy to pull together with pantry ingredients. Ingredients 2 cups white

This is the kind of soup I make when the weather turns cold and I want something simple and comforting. Tomato soup doesn’t need much to be good. A handful of ingredients, one pot, and a quiet simmer is usually enough. I like this version because it’s quick, smooth, and familiar. It works just as well for lunch as it does for a light dinner, especially when there’s bread or a grilled cheese on the side. The melted mozzarella on top isn’t traditional, but it makes the bowl fee

Mercimek köftesi is a staple on Turkish mezze tables and one of the most popular vegan dishes in Turkish home cooking. Made with red lentils, fine bulgur, herbs, and warm spices, these soft lentil patties are filling, flavorful, and completely plant-based. They’re shaped by hand, served cold, and almost always eaten wrapped in crisp lettuce with a squeeze of lemon. No frying, no baking, and no last-minute cooking. That’s part of the appeal. Mercimek köftesi works just as well

Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek çorbası) is one of those soups that shows up again and again in Turkish kitchens, especially on colder days. It’s simple, filling, and made with ingredients that are usually already in the pantry. Onion, lentils, a couple of vegetables, and time. What makes it special is how it’s finished. A little butter warmed with paprika and dried mint, spooned over the top just before serving. And if there’s leftover bread on the counter, turning it into quick c

This is the kind of salad I make when I want something fresh, filling, and uncomplicated. Chickpeas make it hearty enough to stand on its own, while avocado adds that creamy texture that pulls everything together. A simple lemon and garlic dressing is all it needs. It works well as a quick lunch, an easy side, or something you can put together without much planning. No cooking involved, just a bit of chopping and mixing. Ingredients For the salad 1 can cooked chickpeas, drain