If you can’t decide whether to serve a meze, a starter, or a simple salad, this roasted bell pepper and tomato salad fits right in. Made with oven-roasted peppers, soft tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, it works equally well on a Mediterranean meze table, as a light appetizer, or as an easy side dish to place in the middle of the table with bread. Ingredients 2–3 bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), halved and seeds removed 4–5 medium tomatoes, halved Extra virgin olive oil

Every Turkish home has its own version of Şakşuka. I love how humble it is. A few fresh vegetables, some patience with the frying, and suddenly you have something that feels abundant and generous. Whether it’s served as a meze or with bread for lunch, it’s one of those timeless recipes that never loses its charm. Ingredients For the vegetables 2 medium eggplants 2 zucchinis 2 medium potatoes Sunflower oil, for frying Salt For the tomato sauce 400 g ripe tomatoes (peeled and c

This zucchini mezze is one of those dishes that feels light yet so satisfying. The zucchini is grated, sautéed until tender, then cooled and mixed with garlicky yogurt. A drizzle of paprika-butter with dried mint on top makes it complete. It’s a meze you can bring to the table as a starter, a side dish, or even enjoy as a light lunch with bread. Ingredients Serves 4–6 as a side 4 medium zucchinis 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 garlic clove, grated 300 g plain yogurt (or half yogur

“Zeytinyağlı taze fasulye” is one of those dishes that instantly transports me to a Turkish summer afternoon—windows open, breeze...

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