Eggplant salad

  It is my favorite one, because whenever I made it and presented to my guests they loved it without any doubts. So, you'll need eggplants, tomatoes, garlic, vegetable oil for frying and greens (the best one is dill). 

                                                   Peel and slice eggplant

                                          Dip slices of eggplant in the egg

                                        Fry them in vegetable oil

                            Put them in deep bowl and again continue fry others

                              Squeeze 2 or 3 tomatoes juice on the fried eggplants

                                       Then sprinkle with grated garlic, and greens. 

         You should make several layers of it and close the bowl, leave for 2-3 hours in refrigerator

Uzbek pilaf

   At last I have a chance to make our traditional pilaf at home and post it for you. Uzbek pilaf is "The King of Uzbek cuisine". And for cooking it you'll need equal portions of carrot with rice. Cause uzbeks say that the secret of our pilaf is using a lot of carrot, it changes taste - try it and you'll see. So, for 500 grams carrot 500 grams of rice, meat (as you wish), vegetable oil (real pilaf we make by using lamb fat, but some people consider that it is not light, so you can use any vegetable oil). 

                                Add cold water and let to boil about 30-45 minutes

                          Add warm water for while, I prefer put some salt water

           Add the rice, some boiled water, it should cover the rice. Wait until water boiling

                                                   Add the salt and cumin

                                        Leave for 30-40 minutes

Apple cookies (elmalı kurabiye)

  Very simple apple cookies for tea time. For the dough you'll need 250 gr margarine, 200 gr vegetable oil, 200 gr powdered sugar, 1 tea spoon baking soda (sprinkle with lemon juice) and flour. The dough should be soft.
  Stuffing: 2 apples, 1 soup spoon sugar.

Turkish pilaf with raisins and pine nuts

   There are many types of pilaf, also in Turkey people love pilaf: it might be with different ingredients. This one is very popular, because of raisins and pine nuts. Amazing taste and nice composition.

   You'll need rice, raisins, pine nuts, butter and water. That's all!

                                         Add to the butter handful of pine nuts

                                          Then raisins as you wish

                                          2 glasses of rice for 5 persons

                                          3 glasses of water

     After boiling the water close the lid, reduce heat and wait until the water evaporated

                                          Try the rice, it should be soft

And close with paper towel for the good quenching pilaf (it is Turkish way) for 10-15 mins

                                             It is splendid garnish for any dish