Turquoise: A Chef's Travels in Turkey

by Greg Malouf, Lucy Malouf

With terrain from rugged mountains to idyllic coastline, Turkey has become a sought-after travel destination, enjoyed not only for its beauty, but its culinary wonders. In Turquoise , Greg and Lucy Malouf visit spice markets and soup kitchens, enjoy fish sandwiches on the Bosphorus, and drink in ancient teahouses. The recipes inspired by their travels capture the enticing flavors that define Turkish cuisine from the ancient ruins of Pergamum to modern day Istanbul. Some are traditional favorites, such as Little Kefta Dumplings in Minted Yogurt Sauce, while many morefrom Roast Chicken with Pine Nut and Barberry Pilav Stuffing to Pistachio Halva Ice Creamare Greg's own, flavored with his years ofexperience cooking Middle Eastern food. With its hundreds of luscious photographs, Turquoise is a chance to share in this unforgettable Turkish journey.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Travel, Cooking, Nonfiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Greg Malouf was an Australian chef of Lebanese descent, author, and culinary consultant. He was known as a pioneer of modern Middle Eastern cuisine in Australia and for the influence that his work has had on Middle Eastern cuisine at large.

Reviews

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photography in this coffee-table weight book is gorgeous, and accompanies brief descriptions of various areas of Turkey visited by chef Greg Malouf and his wife. If you want to see recipes that are an Australian's take on Turkish cuisine, then this is the book for you. At first I was stymied by the lack of Turkish names for recipes, but I started to realize that he was starting with Turkish dishes and tweaking them, or taking Turkish ingredients and making them into something new. He even includes meringues shaped like Cappadocia and a martini based on the flavors of Turkish cuisine. But it isn't quite a Turkish cookbook, which is what I would want to keep this mighty tome around. Add to that that Malouf does not figure in that he lives in one of the most ethnically diverse and produce-rich areas of the world in Melbourne, Australia. He didn't consider that many of us may not have access to Persian cotton candy (listed as an ingredient, with no alternative or recipe), walnut molasses, or even sumac.

[Happyreader]

This book is stunning and the recipes look amazing. The perfect book to read prior to my Kalustyan's visit in a couple of weeks.

[Esther Brum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel and cookbook . Easy recipes and gorgeous photos

[Catherine Woodman]

This is an absolutely gorgeous cookbook to look at, and it has photographs and stories that transport you immediately to Turkey. There are scenes from the street, from the air, from Istanbul (fishing off the Galata Bridge, the Blue Mosque, to name a couple) and from the interior, from modern cities and ancient sites. There are minarets everywhere and pictures of Attaturk--Arabic and Turkish. It is a complicated country with a rich food tradition. The ingredients are obtainable but not every kitchen will have them--Greek yogurt, pomegranite molasses, walnut oil, and the combinations of familiar ingredients in unfamiliar ways is a hallmark for me of the cuisine. This is an elegant cookbook, with alot of history and information interspersed amongst the recipes--but the salads, the soups and the main course will bring up memories of the food one eats when one is there--especially the emphasis on fresh vegetable salads, and lush colors.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a cookbook, there was a lot to read. The authors wrote a wonderful forward and brief history of Turkey. They traveled all over turkey looking for different foods and customs native to different regions. They were very brave food triers. I hope to have the same will as to try a liver kabob for breakfast! The photographs intertwined throughout the book are beautiful (not all of them are of food).
It really gave me something to look forward to as we go off to Turkey.

[NoBeatenPath]

I remembered seeing this at a friend's house six years ago, so when it was confirmed we were moving to Istanbul, I knew my researches would have to include a copy of this book.
While it is a selection of recipes it is really much more - a combination travelogue/food p*rn/recipe book it is beautiful and inspiring and will have something for any foodie reader, whether they are already a knowledgeable lover of Turkish cuisine or have yet to discover this wonderful food universe.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book and beautifully presented with recipes that stimulate the taste buds, just by reading them and that encourage the reader to explore new tastes. The authors' evocative stories of their travels and the people they meet in Turkey are wonderful and the photography is stunning. It's a book to treasure, and to return to—whether to find inspiration in the kitchen or to enjoy in an comfortable armchair.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I'm so excited about the foods of Turkey. Looking forward to exploring this cuisine on our holiday! Photos are beautiful, and I may check this out again to try some of the recipes after our return.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos and reads like a memoir. I want to keep it on my coffee table, it's so pretty!
I only wish the authors would have included the Turkish names for the dishes...and a step by step method for stuffing mussels...

[Fusun Dulger charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and wonderful pictures for lovers of Turkey, people who want to visit Turkey or simply interested in the Gastronomy of Turkish cuisine. One of the best. Not only did I read it but I baught it as CHRISTMAS gifts for my friends.
I strongly recommend it.

[Giovale Library]

I'm savoring, more than reading, this book! The pictures and descriptions of meals are mouthwatering, really gorgeous.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific text, beautiful pictures, great recipes - love, love it!

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sumptuous book full of recipes, photographs, descriptions of place, people and food.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

cooked three things - all very good. A keeper!

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and recipes that were causing me to drool. Not only is this a great cookbook, they've included tons of information about the Turkish culture.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked by Paula Wolfert

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one reviewer stated that Turquoise, Saha, and Saraband were the best three cookbooks they ever did, and the rest of them you can't get excited about

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I tend to think they excel at the spicing of the foods
and well, the rest doesn't really matter

cake, meatballs, or lamb brain

[Kauz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it’s just the e-book version, but a recipe index would be useful.