Our friends, Delek and Murat, always make Turkish bulgar salad for us when we get together, and one of the key ingredients is a type of red pepper that comes from Turkey and is exceptionally difficult to come by in the U.S. Its rich, savory bite is just the right ingredient to distinguish Murat's kisir as one of the most delicious foods I've ever tasted. (Don't even get me started...)

Imagine my surpise when today, in Oakland, my husband and I stumbled upon this little Turkish restaurant on Piedmont Street called, "Zatis" where they served Turkish ravioli called "manti" in a fresh tomato sauce and lo! The same delicious type of red pepper was all over the top of it!


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I grew up on the East Coast of Canada, and the donair was a staple in my family. A "BIG family outing" was to this excellent fastfood/pizza type place that had the best donairs in the world. Alas, I moved to Ontario for university and most people don't even know what a donair is, let alone where to get one. My mother mentioned donairs the other night, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them, and recent medical treatments have given me cravings that rival pregnancy.

I'm wondering, does anyone here have a recipe for good donair meat? Or that wonderful sauce? I know that there are ton of donair variations all over the world, but I want the East Coast version, with that wonderful creamy, tangy sauce and mildly spicy meat in pita with chopped onions and tomatoes? I really really would love a yummy messy donair, can anyone help me out?

(mods, I have no idea what to tag this...so far, I've used meat and sandwich...let me know what else you think might be appropriate)

Hi everyone -

My father used to live in Turkey, and one of his favorite drinks while there was chai. According to him, the chai tea that is served in the States does not taste the same and he doesn't like it as much. I'd like to be able to make him chai tea like he remembers it (or close to it). Is anyone from or have been in Turkey and know how they prepare chai?

Thanks in advance!!

If anyone knows, it's you lot .

Where can one find Turkish orchid ice cream in the New York/Long Island area?

And Google is SO my friend! I have also found out that the Turkish for orchid ice cream is salepli dondurma, which translates into "fox testicles".

Now I'm REALLY interested!