Authentic Turkish Tava

This delicious recipe was given to me by Lisa Pietsch. She told me, “I had this stew in Incirlik, Turkey, back in 1992 and never forgot it! I’d never had chicken and vegetables that tasted so good in my life!” A Turkish food lover myself, I couldn’t resist sharing this recipe with you. As with American cuisine, Turkish cuisine also differs depending on which region you’re in. Because I’ve mostly tasted dishes from the Istanbul region, I’m anxious to dive into this delicious meal. This dish is typically either served over rice or with Turkish-style flatbread. In Turkey, the restaurant … Continue reading

Turkish Bean Salad

I’ve heard it over and over—I don’t like beans. The truth is, neither did I until I experimented with preparing them. Canned beans in particular are incredibly easy to work with. You can pair them with a variety of fresh ingredients to make side dishes (or main dishes if you prefer a vegetarian meal) that will please even discerning palates. Here’s a yummy recipe my husband grew up eating. It takes minutes to make and the flavors blend together beautifully. Enjoy. For this recipe you’ll need: 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed 2 hardboiled eggs, chopped 1 small onion … Continue reading

Diary of an Overweight Mom: Day 5—WHAT Was I Thinking???

Morning Weight: 180.6 Total Weight Loss: 4.6 pounds WHAT was I thinking? Why on earth would I think I could bake shortbread while on the first week of my new “diet?” But I did. My husband loves shortbread and it’s super easy to make. So against my better judgment today, when I should’ve been walking on the treadmill or drinking some vitamin-filled shake, I was working butter into flour with my hands. I’d like to tell you I made the shortbread then walked away. But if you’ve ever smelled shortbread baking in the oven, you can understand why that’s nearly … Continue reading