Living the Gourmet is pleased to present Aegean Flavors by Didem Senol Tiryakioglu.
Aegean Flavors covers a range of textures and flavor-keys that we at Living the Gourmet consider essential not only to good Aegean cooking but also Mediterranean cooking as a whole, and foundational to virtually all ‘fusion cuisine.’ That being said, we deeply appreciated what was on offer not only because of its familiarity, but also because of how expertly and artfully it was presented. Paging through the book, one will notice that the chapters are titled after areas of Turkey, with the chapters’ contents dictated by what one would typically and traditionally find in those areas. For example, the Alacati Odemis chapter features items such as mussels stewed in olive oil, and a linguine dish that features kopanisti peyniri and free-range eggs. In this way, the book serves as tour through the Turkish countryside, while offering gourmet takes on local fare.
The book opens with Havran, featuring items such as barley pilaf with lemon rind, as well as roasted rack of lamb with pureed potatoes with olives, and a recipe for spinach and Ezine cheese pizza. Perhaps intentionally, Havran sets the tone for the coming chapters, with its use of olives, slow-roasting, and lamb dishes. Urla picks up where Havran leaves off, opening with a lamb and cumin seed stew with gunbali. I was pleased to see the inclusion of an octopus dish so early on, a delicious and surprisingly versatile seafood ingredient that is often shied away from in mainstream cuisine. Urla also includes such offerings as pink potato crisps, hurma olives marinated in lavender, and a chocolate sauce among a variety of other dishes. Overall,Urla is flavorfully diverse chapter, serving as a quick glimpse of the book’s namesake Aegean flavors.
Sandee says
Oh this look very good. I love the olive sauce. I'm coming right over.
Have a fabulous day Catherine. Big hugs. ♥♥♥
Ξανθή says
Very nice Catherine!! This book with recipes of my coundry!!
Pam says
Good review, Michael! I'll have to check it out as it sounds like it contains many good recipes! The green olive sauce must be delicious with the chicken! Thanks for the recipe, Catherine! Hugs
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Great book review and recap. Yum! Love your blog too 🙂
David says
Catherine... That baked chicken looks great...and my wife would love the olive sauce! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Laurence G. says
This looks even more delicious than fried chicken. And what about this lovely tapenade-like sauce! 🙂
Liz Berg says
What a terrific entree! The olive sauce looks wonderful as does the chicken!!!
Thistle Cove Farm says
the olive sauce looks incredible but I'm always a sucker for olives.
Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Sounds like a wonderful cookbook. I love cookbooks that give you a flavor (no pun intended!) for the area. The chicken sounds wonderful. I wish the others in my family liked olives as much as I do!
Spicie Foodie says
What a lovely cookbook! Everything you made from it looks delicious, I'll have to look into getting a copy. Thanks for sharing:)
Dottie says
Hi Catherine, A very lovely dish. I like that olive sauce. Would never have thought to use an olive sauce with the chicken, I am sure it makes a great combination. I love olives and chicken so what's not to like! Easy and tasty. The Aegean Flavors by Didem Senol Tiryakioglu must be a wonderful and intriguing book. Turkish foods are so interesting on how they mix flavors and ingredients that we would never have though of. Thanks for sharing, Blessings on a good week..Dottie 🙂
Elzbieta Hester says
Love Turkish flavors! The chicken and the book look fantastic!
🙂 ela@GrayApron
Federica says
Quella salsina alle olive rende il pollo davvero appetitoso 🙂 Grazie dell’idea, un bacione e buona giornata
Medeja says
This chicken looks amazing! I think the books is great and there are many great recipes there 🙂
Marta says
Olá Catherine,
Mas que bom aspeto! Já provava um bocadinho.
Bjs
Guru Uru says
That olive sauce looks lovely, it looks delicious on the chicken 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Danelle M says
This looks wonderful! I love finding new ways to make chicken.
Emma @ Fork and Good says
Man that looks good!! You always manage to make my mouth water!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
A wonderful dish! I particularly like that sauce. Scrumptious.
Cheers,
Rosa
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
This sounds like a nice and new way to prepare chicken. I'm glad you shared the recipe.
Chatty Crone says
Green olives are one of my most favorite foods. This sounds great.
Rebecca Subbiah says
looks great and a nice cookbook
Lisa @ Low Carb Yum says
So delicious! I'll be serving these up very soon!
Ramona W says
I am a big cook book collector... and this one looks wonderful! I love that green olive sauce. 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I happen to have a container full of good green olives from the Italian deli this past weekend and I'm thinking I know just how to use them up now!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I bet that green olive sauce is so delicious with the baked chicken! Yum!
David @ Cooking Chat says
looks like a great cookbook! And this chicken recipe looks simple yet delicious.