THE RECIPE LARDER

Turkish Eggs

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I did it!! I finally learnt to poach eggs! And I have the very attractive legendary, Nigella Lawson to thank for it!

Turkish Eggs.

It’s actually so simple that it’s scary. But trust me, its really easy! I know what you must be thinking!! Nah! you say! I get it! I have no count of the number of eggs reduced to broken yolks and litres of water bubbling with broken scattered albumin! But one look at this recipe, and I can guarantee that you will be willing to try poaching eggs and you will succeed!

turkish poached eggs

This video / recipe will banish all myths about vinegar in the water, or swirling the water into a vortex, or that you need special skills to make this dubious poached egg!

When you break the egg in the water the white will move away. But as it cooks the white remembers it’s DNA and goes up and envelopes the yolk again. It’s quite interesting to note this, and reminds us to  never fail to be amazed by nature and all things natural.

This has become my favourite meal in a bowl. It’s quick, easy (yes! it is!) and super super tasty. Specially when you get to the last part where the egg yolk breaks and mixes with the curds and butter sauce! Then – it just melts in the mouth setting off a palate explosion!

I really have not much more to say in this post because you really have to taste it to know how strangled for words it will leave you!

turkish eggs

Go for it! And message me with pics!!!

Cheers!!

 

IMPORTANT: Do go through the notes section of the recipe for hacks and tricks!

 

Turkish Eggs
Print Recipe
Soft poached eggs, hung garlicky curd and chilli butter sauce!
Servings Prep Time
1 pax 10 min
Cook Time Passive Time
10 min 4 hours
Servings Prep Time
1 pax 10 min
Cook Time Passive Time
10 min 4 hours
Turkish Eggs
Print Recipe
Soft poached eggs, hung garlicky curd and chilli butter sauce!
Servings Prep Time
1 pax 10 min
Cook Time Passive Time
10 min 4 hours
Servings Prep Time
1 pax 10 min
Cook Time Passive Time
10 min 4 hours
Ingredients
Servings: pax
Instructions
  1. Hang the yoghurt / curds for 3-4 hours
  2. Transfer into a bowl, and add salt and half (ie 1/2 tspn) garlic
  3. Mix well and keep aside
  4. In slow to medium fire, set the water to boil.
  5. While water is heating, break one egg into a seive
  6. Let the extra albumin strain away
  7. Transfer gently to a cup
  8. Add half tspn lemon juice and keep ready
  9. When large bubble break to the surface of the water, reduce the fire and transfer the egg gently into the water.
  10. Poach the egg for 2 to 3 minutes
  11. Gently take it out with a slotted spoon and drain excess water
  12. Transfer on top of the curds
  13. Similarly poach the second egg.
  14. Set a pan on slow fire and, set the butter to melt.
  15. Add balance 1/2 tspn garlic and chilli flakes.
  16. Just before taking off fire add the olive oil
  17. Drizzle over the eggs
  18. Garnish with chives
  19. Enjoy with a point of toast.
Recipe Notes

Notes for perfect poached eggs:

  • The egg should be refrigerated or at least an hour before making the poached eggs.
  • Lemon juice is a must.
  • Do strain the extra egg white, it makes a difference.
  • There is no need to put vinegar in water and to make a swirling vortex. Instead the vortex and swirling water breaks the egg white and makes it into a streamy mess.
  • The water should not be rapidly boiling. If it is bring it down again to a point where large bubbles burst to the surface. Not too many bubbles, just one to three bubbles. This is the right time to slide the egg into the water.
  • Don't be in a hurry and bring up the heat. Let the egg cook slowly over 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Slotted spoon is a must. It helps drain excess water. No one wants hot water over yummy cook curds.

 

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Hummus Beiruti

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I had Hummus for the first time as an adult. It picked up as a rage, and every party had a bowl of Hummus, with Pita. Then came the Lavash. Crisp flat wheat savouries topped with seeds.

Hummus with Lavash.

Hummus with Lavash.

I had Hummus for the first time some 20 years ago, in a restaurant called Olive. They had the typical platter of Baba Ganoush, Hummus and Tzatziki. At that time – I thought it was made with magic. How could something so tasty, so creamy be so amazing and healthy? When I learnt to make hummus, I was amazed at how easy it was, but I never seemed to like it as much as I liked the ones in a restaurant.

The fact is – I used terrible shortcuts. Sesame instead of Tahini. Sacrilege!! (my logic – Tahini is made out of sesame right??) Too much garlic, not enough creamy texture — blah blah!

I thought I would never be able to replicate the hummus, we have in good Mediterranean restaurants.I love the Hummus Beiruti. Its creamy with a mild tang of spice. Polishing off a small bowl is no big feat.

Hummus Beiruti

Hummus Beiruti

I tried Hummus again, (after my many not so good tries) and this time I used the proper Tahini. Another thing a chef friend of mine suggested was using cold water.

In this recipe, I use a little leftover water after boiling the chickpeas. I like to soak the chickpeas at night, and cook it the next morning and make the Hummus a few hours later. The water left over from cooking the chickpeas and the chickpeas itself are cooled down and refrigerated.

The hard work is soaking and cooking, after that its the quickest recipe you can make.

Serve it with a Rocket and cucumber salad, over toast with Avocado, obviously with Pita and Lavash. So many ways!! Do write in and tell me how you like to present it.

Hummus


                                                                               Hummus

I made Hummus for my son last evening, thinking he could have it with Avocado. Confidently, I also made a small olive oil, garlic and Sumac drizzle for the top. Failure of failures! – the Avocado was not ripe enough and we had to chuck it. (Once cut it turns black quicker than a piece of charcoal rubbed on a face!) Then he suggested that we caramelise some onions, and top it with the same. Bigger flop. I had no brown sugar with me, and any case something made in a hurry not always turns out good. It was sticky …. basically – a flop!! I was flapping around about what he would eat, but he said the Hummus was good enough to eat on its own.. YAAAY!! Hummus saved the day!

hummus

hummus

hummus

 

Hummus Beiruti
Print Recipe
A Meditteranean staple, creamy and yummy!
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 12 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 12 hours
Hummus Beiruti
Print Recipe
A Meditteranean staple, creamy and yummy!
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 12 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 12 hours
Ingredients
Garnish
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Soak the chick peas over night.
  2. Wash and cook till its soft. It should not disintegrate. It should retain its shape. I like to use a pressure cooker for this.
  3. Drain the water, cool and refrigerate.
  4. Cool chick peas and refrigerate.
  5. After a few hours, add all ingredients in a blender and blend till you get a fine paste. Keep opening the jar and spoon the mixture stuck on the sides back into the jar. PS: if you use the Tecnora brand of mixie (available on amazon) which comes with a very handy stirrer in the jar. While blending, one can keep stirring the mixture, so that it blends easily. You don't have to keep opening the jar.
  6. Once you have the consistency you want, plate it and garnish with olive oil, sesame seeds, parsley and mint leaves.
  7. Serve with Pita, Crisp Pita and Lavash.
  8. NOTE ON TAHINI: When using Tahini, please stir well and take from the bottom of the jar, as the solids settle way down.
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