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Post by laststopistanbul on Sept 7, 2004 9:19:07 GMT 2
Does anyone know where there is a decent (hopefully cheap) Asian Grocer on the European Side? There used to be one in Levent, but it closed or moved...wah!
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Post by DICTATORSHIP on Sept 7, 2004 9:24:21 GMT 2
do you mean as in indian or chinese food products? I believe a few people get their spices from the misir carsisi but we have a new indian member, maybe he can help. I am always looking for a good curry and havent had one for over a year now.
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Post by laststopistanbul on Sept 7, 2004 11:37:24 GMT 2
Actually...all of it, but more so for the unusual things, chinese pastry for dumplings, different types of noodles, tofu, tempeh, etc, etc...any ideas?
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Post by laststopistanbul on Sept 7, 2004 13:13:28 GMT 2
I found this site that sells red and green curry paste only 9,400,000tl. www.cookbook-nisantasi.com/gurme.htmand other asian stuff...but it is expensive and again limited...I can't find decent tofu, and tempeh doesn't exist here (does it?).
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Post by osiere on Sept 7, 2004 13:13:42 GMT 2
Never heard of any asian grocer here, but do know as far as chinese food are concerned, you can find them in particular sarkuteries or even at the migros in maslak. Spices, I agree misir carsi (spice names are the same, but taste differ). regarding to vegetables, I have been lucky at times to find them at balik passagi, especially coriander leaves.....hard to find! I just get all my spices and the hard to find stuff, when ever I travel outside and stock up, that my only option for now. In general chinese ingredients are not always available, but if there, then bloody expensive. The cheapest I found was egg noodles for 1 million a pack. But then without the ingredients for the main dish, just not worth it. Starman, is there any particular curry you have in mind that you would like to have, maybe some time next week, will make some and you can pick it up on your way back home.
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Post by jeannette on Sept 7, 2004 14:21:00 GMT 2
Hi Osiere, Just one question on the curries - i brought some curry powder back with me after my visit home but i have no idea where i can get coconut milk. You see, clever me with my aptitude for cooking have never done it before moving to Istanbul. Nevertheless, brimming with much (but very mistaken) self confidence, i decided to try it anyway. Not knowing that the dessicated coconut that they sell in little McCormick bottles are only for garnishing cakes and sweets and happily tried to make a lovely curry out of it. needless to say, it didn't go down too well with my stomach...
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Post by osiere on Sept 7, 2004 14:56:32 GMT 2
Hi Jeannette Food for thought- Did you know that in India, curry powder doesn’t exist? or the misconception that the Indian curry is a single dish. "Everyone consider curry powder native to India and do not realize how many different types there are. There seems to be many misconceptions about curries in general. Curry is a fashion of cooking: a process whereby meats, fish, vegetables or even fruit are cooked in varying combinations of ground herbs and spices, (known as curry pastes), to produce a stew like dish. All dishes that are hot and spicy are not curries, nor are all curries fiery hot. Curry powder is an amalgam of some "Indian" spices best applied to the flavorings of curry dips and dishes where a hint of curry influence is desired." I have found coconut milk at both migros and macro. It's TepTip brand from Thailand. I have managed to compile a load of Indian recipes and if there is anything you have a taste for, I would be happy to pass it over. Also coconut milk is generally used in the South part of India and tends to have an unusual sweet/spicy taste that many are not used to. Its best used with chicken to create a heavy sauce when cooked, should have an orange pink color to it ( color provided with spices that can vary from black pepper to red chillies and tomatoes, etc) When using it for the first time, try using in small quantities and not use the whole tin. The smell might get to you hehehe. (no offense)
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Post by DICTATORSHIP on Sept 8, 2004 13:43:52 GMT 2
my wife is crazy for chicken korma, she doesnt like spicy hot curries as for me I have always been a fan of dhansak. on a different note whats the average rent for a place on sanatcilar? we was looking to buy a place there at the bottom of the hill but didnt bother in the end thanks to certain businessmen.
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Post by osiere on Sept 8, 2004 13:59:17 GMT 2
Rent vary from 500 million (2 bedroom) and upwards, last I heard, a duplex was going for 850 million/month. Till this year there was a lovely duplex 170 Sqm for sale, asking price was 70K dollars. But that has been sold recently. dhansak is a delicious dish, but I was not able to find the various legumes here ( 4 legumes at least are required, and I know just 2 that is available - Red and green lentils) vegetables are the same Thought of trying to use various others that are available, but never got around to it. Although I know to make a wicked dal using the red lentils (mercimic).
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Post by osiere on Sept 8, 2004 14:06:35 GMT 2
when u say dhansak, do u mean the vegetarian or the non-veg version?
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Post by DICTATORSHIP on Sept 8, 2004 14:13:33 GMT 2
I usually eat chicken dishes and never really tried vegitarean dishes. Although once I went to a really good indian restaurant in west london and it was all veggie dishes and nothing like the usual take away dishes. I will never forget the cheese in a sweet and hot sauce. can you do Korma or something similar. thats the one my wife goes nuts over.
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Post by osiere on Sept 8, 2004 14:49:02 GMT 2
Sure, can make a Korma dish, will do so next week and when made will give you a holler and you can pick it up. Cheese with sweet and hot sauce sounds like cottage cheese with spinach (Paneer Palak) dont know if it is the same. Was it green in color?
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Post by DICTATORSHIP on Sept 8, 2004 15:18:27 GMT 2
Korma sounds great. give me a shout from your balcony and I might be able to hear you. that dish we ate was white cheese and an orange coloured sauce and my was it tasty. I will IM you my number if you want.
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Post by osiere on Sept 8, 2004 15:26:02 GMT 2
what you had was paneer butter masala. Now you got my mouth watering! Goes great with the naan bread.
You can IM me your number, When I begin to prepare, I will call you.
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Post by laststopistanbul on Sept 8, 2004 16:28:46 GMT 2
I am a vegetarian (no fish or chicken)...I used to make loads of Asian food, but since being here and not being able to use ready made products I have stopped making it and since forgotten...I don't suppose you could write up some recipes of yummy dishes that you have adapted based on what you have found available...PLEASE!
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