Nawabi Shemai

                                    Ottoman Cuisine

The Ottoman Empire lasted more around 600 years, conquering many lands in Europe and Middle East. This gave introduction of many cuisines.

We discuss some of them here in Tasty Khabarz.:

Piliç Topkapı is a Turkish dish made with chicken that's marinated in a flavorful mixture of yogurt and spices, then baked in the oven until tender and juicy. It's a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Here's a recipe for Piliç Topkapı:

Pilic Topkapi Recipe

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup plain yogurt

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and parsley.

Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and mix well, making sure the chicken is coated evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in a baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken.

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until cooked through and the juices run clear.

Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges.

Enjoy this delicious and flavorful Turkish dish, and savor the tastes of the Mediterranean! Piliç Topkapı pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Hünkar Beğendi is a classic Ottoman Empire dish that has become a staple in Turkish cuisine. The name "Hünkar Beğendi" literally translates to "the Sultan liked it," which is a testament to its rich and luxurious flavors.

The dish is made with tender chunks of braised lamb or beef that are served on a bed of creamy eggplant puree. The eggplant puree, also known as "beğendi," is flavored with butter, milk, and a generous amount of grated cheese, making it a decadent accompaniment to the savory meat.

Here's a recipe for Hünkar Beğendi:

Ingredients:

For the lamb/beef:

1 pound lamb or beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 cup beef or lamb stock

Salt and pepper to taste

For the eggplant puree:

2 large eggplants

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

1 cup grated cheese (such as kashar or mozzarella)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the flesh is very soft.

Remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool. Scoop out the flesh and transfer it to a large bowl.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.

Add the lamb or beef to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides.

Stir in the tomato paste and beef or lamb stock. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour, or until the meat is very tender and the sauce has thickened.

While the meat is cooking, prepare the eggplant puree. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the eggplant flesh, milk, and grated cheese. Cook until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, spoon the eggplant puree onto a platter and top with the braised meat. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint, if desired.

Hünkar Beğendi is a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home. Enjoy this Turkish classic and savor the flavors of the Ottoman Empire!

Mıhlama

The dish pronounced ‘Mooh-lah-ma’ is a dish that is described as cheese heaven. The origin of this food is the Black Sea.. The dish happens to be made with Trabzon Cheese. The cheese is supposed to have originated in Anatolia.

You can buy the cheese from here or get a substitute cheese.

How to cook.

Milhama Recipe.

We all love Food. Delicious food, that is. But we disregard sometimes presentation. There are some things that can change a dish served:

·    Food decoration

·    Plates and dinner ware used.

·    Interiors of the kitchen.

Since cooking is an art, the mood of the cook or chef is important. When it comes to Dinner Ware or Glassware,two names come to mind.

1.    Pyrex

2.    Arcopal.

  Pyrex plates were popular in the Indian Subcontinent:India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Then came Arcopal ,the plates with pictures of fruits on them. History of Pyrex Pyrex was not originally a dinner set or dinner Ware Company as one might think. Pyrex came as an answer to a problem ,invented by Jessie Litteton a young professor at University of Michigan. He was hired by Eugene Sullivan for his first formal laboratory called Corning Glass Works. Jessie helped in creating a new product' from the thermal -shock resistant  NONEX glass.Jesse took the glass he helped in developing for railroad and battery jars. His wife Bessie asked if this glass might work for baking. Jessie therefore sawed a part of battery jar and took it home. Bessie used this glass to bake a cake this experiment moved the company to produce Pyrex in 1915 for the household:oven &  refrigeration  proof.   https://youtu.be/0amdf0hTi5s   History of Arcopal. Arcopal was first made in 1958.The company behind Arcopal was Arc International in the village of Arques,France by Alexander des Lyons de Noircarm. We normally think of Arcopal, the dinner ware having fruits picture on the plate. Actually,  there are 8 brands under Arc International :

·    Arcopal-- introduced  in 1958 and famous for its translucent  borosilicate glass.

·    Luminarc --

·    Cristal d'Arques---made in 1968.

·    Arcoroc-- made  in 1963 as a brand for tempered glass.

·    Chef&Sommelier--

·    Zenix--technical glass material launched in 2010 by Arc International.

·    Kwarx

·    Diamax

    The fruits dinner ware is known as Arcopal fruits De France is a collector's item. You cannot buy them in the local market as it could be done about 40 years ago. Many people from IBP region then in the 1980s whilst working in the Middle East or elsewhere used to buy Pyrex or Arcopal.   Now if you already have Arcopal dinner set at your home since your mother had bought it.Good keep it ! Handle with care. Buy another new dinner set from the market and keep Arcopal for rare events. Buy from: https://www.retro-en-design.co.uk/c-3253232/arcopal-fruits-de-france/     In Bangladesh There is one company called International Home Ware who sell quality Dinner and Glassware from Europe, Turkey and Brazil.   Alternatives to Pyrex to Arcopal, There are other Dinnerware around the world. Some of the Luxury brand of Dinnerware around the world: 

Bangladesh has its own quality  Dinner ware:

Monno Ceramics.  Quality dinnerware sold in Europe.

 The Story of Tasty Khabarz’s Own Fried Chicken.

KFC

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was started by Colonel Harland Saunders in 1930 in Kentucky. This is the reason for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Sanders dropped out of school at age 12 because he was horrified to learn Algebra! Kids can relate to this.

Kentucky is a beautiful state in the USA with amazing natural landscapes. Anyway, sanders get a job in a motel and start cooking dishes. Saunders makes tasty recipes learned from his mother.  Later gets enlisted in the army before his discharge in 1935.

He was given the honorary title of Colonel Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon decree in 1935. The first of his franchises was in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He sold his company for 2 million dollars (at today’s value of 15 million). His story is inspiring for many since he made success after many rejections.

Al Baik

Al Baik started in 1974, near the old airport in Jeddah. The chain was founded by Shakour Al Ghazalah. The restaurant was located near the old airport. It was registered as a trademark in 1986.  People who lived in the early 1980s know it was very popular and cost was about 10 -15 riyals. There was yummy ‘’toum’ or garlic where the French fries were dipped along with sauce. Accompanying this meal was Bebsi's “or Pepsi Cola in a tin can. The good old days when children spent time with their parents and family.

Al Baik is really delicious and has franchises as not much as KFC but people in the Middle East love it.

So if you are visiting Saudi Arabia be sure to eat at Al Baik:

Visit:

Address

G56P+3FX, King Abdullah Rd, Al Sharafeyah, Jeddah 22234, Saudi Arabia

Al Baik Garlic sauce recipe

The thing to love is Garlic sauce where French fries are dipped in the garlic sauce.

Recipe for Garlic Sauce (from a friend)

1 cup garlic cloves (4 1/2 ounces; 130g)

2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (for table salt, use 1 teaspoon)

1/4 cup (60g) fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons, divided

1/4 cup (60g) ice water, divided

3 cups (600g) neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola oil, divided

Instructions:

Recipe and instructions for making garlic sauce 

KFC versus Al Baik

The comparison is not valid since both are different chicken fries. It is like comparing vanilla with strawberry. If the same ingredients were placed in both then you could make a comparison. Both are tasty and people who grew up with certain food tend to have an emotional tie.

KFC is an international brand and comparatively more priced with variations of new food items. Al Baik does not have that exposure. All Al Baik is halal.

Al Baik gives franchising options nowadays.

Al Baik Website :https://www.albaik.com/en

Fried Chicken Bangladesh

BFC or Best Fried Chicken was founded in 2002 under the guidance of Anisur Rahman Sinha, a leading industrialist.

The fried chicken is really tasty and one should at least try once when visiting Bangladesh.

Address:

Shikharaa Jolchobi Tower, House 40/8, Road 92 Ground Floor, Madani Ave, Dhaka 1212

Website: BFC Website

Al Baik Bangladesh.

Gulshan

I love their Kabsha’ or Arabian rice. I would give them 9/10 but can’t say the same for their fried chicken.

Second: They are no longer associated with the original Al Baik.

Al Baik 

 Satmasjid Road

Address: House No. 81, First Floor, Rd No. 8A, Dhaka ... Satmasjid

They opened I think 15 years ago but their quality of food is nowhere near the Al Baik Brand.

    Chart on Fried Chicken Comparison

SL Name                  Rating Website Cost (AVG) per piece.

1 KFC Bangladesh   9.5/10 https://kfcbd.com/ 150 BDT(approx.)

2. Al Baik –Gulshan (Hat logo) 7/10-Chicken. 9.5/10 –Kabsha. https://albaik.com.bd/ 139.5 BDT.

3 AL Baik –Satmasjid road  6/10

4 Best Fried Chicken(BFC) 9/10 https:/www.bfcbd.com/ 110(approx.)

5 Tasty Khabarz 9/10 NA 50 Taka*     https://www.facebook.com/tastykhabarz

           50(approx)

Tasty Khabarz Fried Chicken-TFC.

The inspiration for homemade tasty and quality fried chicken came from the above-established brands. Shortly after starting in 2020, the depressing period of Covid-19 we made at home. Amazingly they were delicious and tasty. That was not just us but most guests and family we gave. This inspired us to try selling it. We need the support of netizens in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

to order:https://facebook.com/tastykhabarz

Note:

*1.order by Facebook

 2. Minimum order quantity 500 BT

 3. Delivery charge extra

4. Order before two days.

DeliMoja was originally started from Indica Collection.  Indica Collection was started in 2003 as a concept but those days did not have https://kicktstarter.com or GoFundme.

I thought of doing the project myself. But learn the hard way time is factor. Then there were no Ecommerce sites in my region. I and My senior colleague had finished completing a Ecommerce site; we developed in PHP3. At that time (2002) there were no Bangladeshi ecommerce sites.

Indica Collection was to be Ecommerce site with a difference. After so many years I have not been able to implement it. But many Ecommerce sites has been made. Idea of Indica Collection was to make online business involving some SAARC counties.  That’s why the Name INDICA. This named was given by a Greek diplomat some 2000 years ago.

The best of these countries to be presented in one platform in the form of Ecommerce. But show casing best from these areas.

Now Indica Collection has been able to implement one part: interesting stories from this region along with Turkey and Persia. The reason for these countries was that historically, they were connected.

All this with a Muslim theme.

So from Indica Collection was born:

·         Indica Food- A Face Book page for giving Restaurant Reviews, dealing with Food especially Halal.

·         Indica Recipes

·         BeeBaho -A Muslim South Asian site.  Domain is reserved.

·         ChemComm- A Chemical market place combined with other ideas.

This was in Face Book. You have to have these in a website. So Do I make separate websites? No, I combined them into DeliMoja. Deli from Delicious and Moja in Bengali means tasty or delicious.

Though in DeliMoja:

·         Recipes

·         Food

We were not making food but just talking. So Tasty Khabarz was born last year. We have made few deliveries and going to expand. Khabar in Bengali means food.

Tasty Khabarz is providing in Dhaka:

·         Cakes

·         Chicken Roll                                                                                                                          Shwarma

·         Tasty Fried Chicken

·         Malai Roll.

Some people just rely on brand names but thing is taste does matter with the price.

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The post is two years old.

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A cake is very much loved for various occasions like Birthday, and other special events.