Meliz Cooks

Summery breakfast, lunch or dinner, Kıbrıs(Cyprus)-style, is served. #melizcooks #breakfast #lunch #dinner #summer #summerfood #salad #karpuz #watermelon #hellim #halloumi #olives #meze #mezze #melizcooks

AD Ok, let me show you how I make my family’s version of these infamously inimitable fried grated potato and mince Cypriot meatballs with some of my favourite @karacaunitedkingdom *Karaca Ceramica Steel 3Ply Stainless Steel 7-Piece Induction Non-Stick Cookware Set, Silver * Karaca Mastermaid Chef Pro Zero Side Tech Stand Mixer, 5L, 1500W, Soft Cream * Karaca Dara 2 Piece Bamboo Chopping Board, Wood Known as “Badadez Köftesi” to Turkish-Cypriots and “Keftedes” to Greek Cypriots, everyone has their own family’s way of making them, and they are loaded with both flavour and memories. My family use beef mince, and the best and most authentic way to cook them is to deep fry them (I use light olive oil - they are fried at 180-190c, below the smoking point for olive oil), but you can also fry them in sunflower / vegetable / rapeseed / rice bran oil, bake them in the oven (brushed with olive oil), or air-fry them too. Makes 40 meatballs 1 large onion, finely chopped 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced beef 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) Cyprus or Maris Piper potatoes 1 large egg 100 g (3½ oz) stale white bread, whizzed into breadcrumbs 50 g (1¾ oz) fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp dried mint (optional) 1 tsp salt ¾ tsp ground black pepper 1 litre (1¾ pints) oil of choice (as mentioned in the caption above) Full recipe in Meliz’s Kitchen and on my blog. #PleaseMakeIt #MelizCooks #köfte #meatballs #potatoes #badadezköftesi #Badadez #patates #potato #cypriotfood #keftedes #mince #fried #karaca

If you’re thinking of doing some baking this weekend, then this one is for you! Since I first posted this recipe, the remakes have blown my mind! Thank you to everyone who has made and shared this one with me - this beautiful bread is the lovechild of two of my most popular recipes - Kıbrıs Çöreği (Cypriot Seeded Loaf) and Hellimli Zeytinli Kek / Bulla (Halloumi and Black Olive Cake / Loaves). The cracked green olives on my plate are the “cakistez” I made using the olives from my mum and dad’s garden and the hellim I’m using is homemade from a little village called Ötüken, not far from Gazimağusa (Famagusta) and it’s beautiful. The full recipe is on my blog, link in bio - please make it! RECIPE Makes 1 loaf For the dough 225 ml (8 fl oz) lukewarm water 100 ml (3½ fl oz) lukewarm milk ½ tsp caster sugar 7 g (¼ oz) fast-action dried yeast 1 tsp salt 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting (optional) 1 tsp olive oil For the filling 50 g (1¾ oz) fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped 25 g (1 oz) fresh mint leaves, finely chopped 2 spring onions, finely chopped 100 g (3½ oz) pitted dry black olives, roughly chopped 250 g (9 oz) hellim (halloumi cheese), cut into 2½-cm (1-inch) cubes 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, very finely diced For brushing 1 tbsp flour 1 tsp water 1 tsp milk For coating 4 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tsp nigella seeds ¼ tsp aniseed #melizcooks #kıbrısçöreği #hellim #halloumi #zeytin #olives #blackolives #oliveoil #sesameseeds #bread #meze #mezze

Ok, what are you having for dinner tonight, because I’ve combined two recipes to bring you a GORGEOUS takeaway kebab idea perfect for tonight. This is like an İskender and Pideli Köfte recipe in one. You can use chicken (thigh) mince or beef mince instead (don’t use lean, they’ll be dry as), but the flavour of the lamb is #chefskiss - full recipe on my blog, link in bio. For the “İnce Köfte” (thin lamb patties) 500g lamb mince 1 large / 2 small white onions, peeled and coarsely grated 25g fresh flat leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp coarse black pepper 1 tsp ground cumin 1tsp pul biber + 1tsp olive oil for frying with For the Tomato Sauce 2 tbsp olive oil 60g (4tbsp) tomato purée 45g (3tbsp) tatlı biber salçası (sweet (mild) red pepper paste 1 tsp pul biber 1 tbsp caster sugar 300ml boiling hot water TO SERVE 50g melted butter, hot 400g Turkish bread (ramazan pide / tırnak pide) cut into 2cm cubes (you can toast the bread in the oven if you like a crunchier consistency) Natural Yoghurt / Süzme (strained) yoğurt Grilled sivri biber and halved tomatoes #melizcooks #iskender #köfte #pideliköfte #pide #kebab #kebap #meze #mezze #fakeaway

Meliz Cooks Good Food: Episode 4, Cacık 🤍🥒🧄🍋🌿 A staple in my house growing up, it’s now, unsurprisingly, a staple in my own family home 🫶🏼 My recipe takes a well-known yoghurt and cucumber dip and turns it into something truly memorable. Straining the yogurt results in a more indulgent texture and prevents the cacık from turning watery. Dip into it with hot bread, serve with kebabs and meatballs, or simply eat it straight from the bowl with a spoon! It stores well in the fridge, covered, for up to four days. I’ve popped a few of my top tips below. 1. Strain the yoghurt overnight for a thick and luscious creamy base (use the strained yoghurt water, the “acid whey” in place of water / milk when making bread - SO GOOD for flavour and texture) 2. Remove the seeds from the cucumber (small Middle Eastern cucumbers are best as they are less watery than English cucumbers, sweeter and more flavoursome), grate and strain through a muslin cloth - use the seeds and strained juice for smoothies. So good for your skin! 3. Soak the dried mint in the lemon juice and olive oil to soften them first - you can use fresh mint but sweeter spearmint (like the soft, almost basil like leaves you find in cyprus) or Moroccan mint is best it you want to use fresh in place of dried. * 500g thick natural yogurt * 2 tsp lemon juice * 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil * 1 tbsp dried mintplus extra to garnish * 1 English cucumber 2-3 x Middle Eastern cucumbers (approx 400g) * 2 garlic cloves * A really good pinch of sea salt Full recipe on the @GoodFood website. Link in bio. Please make it! #melizcooks #cacık #yoghurt #cucumber #meze #mezze #easyrecipe #recipe #pleasemakeit #meze #summerfood #summer #bbq #melizcooks

Meliz Cooks Good Food: Episode 3, Şehirgeli / Şehirgeli Pilav - Vermicelli Rice . Every childhood memory, comfort, gathering is wrapped up in a bowl of this rice and a dollop of yoghurt. My kids adore it as much as I do, calling it “nene’s rice.” We’re serving it alongside my Fatma Nene’s Molohiya at the supper club tonight 🌿 🫶🏼💕🧿 Saying “I love you” with just a handful of ingredients 🫶🏼 300g long-grain white rice 3 tbsp light olive oil / vegetable oil 70g crushed vermicelli strands 30g unsalted butter 625ml fresh chicken stock or broth OR chicken stock made with 625ml boiling hot water and one stock cube A good pinch of salt Full recipe on the @goodfoodeveryday website. Link in bio. #melizcooks #rice #vermicelli #pilav #comfortfood #simplerecipe #meze #mezze #melizcooks

Have you ever made “Kıbrıs Çöreği” (Cypriot seeded bread) before? If not, then you ABSOLUTELY should - I’ve just turned my kitchen into a micro bakery for my supper club tomorrow and it smells heavenly. In its most authentic form, it’s also known as “Nohut Çöreği” or “Nohutlu Çörek” (chickpea bread), made with fermented chickpea water (aquafaba) instead of yeast - this process is much like making sourdough (ekşi maya). I opt for a high-hydration yeasted dough enriched with milk to ensure a lovely fluffy inside, and lace it with a trio of fragrant spices synonymous with Cypriot cuisine (cinnamon, cloves and mahleb). And no çörek is compete with the pull apart segmented shape and an exterior that’s loaded with sesame seeds, Nigella seeds and aniseed. INGREDIENTS 500g strong white bread flour 225ml lukewarm milk 100ml lukewarm water 1 sachet (7g) instant dry yeast  1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves  1 tbsp olive oil  1 1/2 tsp salt  1 tsp sugar For brushing:  1 tbsp flour  1 tsp water  1 tsp milk  For coating: 4 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tsp Nigella seeds  1/4 tsp aniseed Full recipe on my blog and Meliz’s Kitchen. Please make it. #melizcooks #kıbrısçöreği #çörek #oliveoil #sesameseeds #bread #meze #mezze #breakfast #lunch #dinner #melizcooks

Let’s “yak the mangal” and make Tavuk Şiş. Full recipe in Meliz’s Kitchen and on The Happy Foodie website. Please make it 🤩🙌🏼🔥🍗🌶️🌿🧄 Serves 4–6 INGREDIENTS 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets, cut into 7.5-cm (3-inch) chunks 4–6 long metal skewers For the marinade 4 tbsp thick set natural yoghurt 1 heaped tbsp Turkish sweet red pepper paste (tatlı biber salçası) 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley leaves 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses 1 tbsp clear honey 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp pul biber 1 tsp paprika To serve 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil #melizcooks #tavukşiş #chickenshish #chickenrecipes #chickenkebabs #recipes #recipereels #familyrecipes #meze #mezze #melizcooks #fyp

Spiced mince, crispy chips, garlic yoghurt and a tomato “sos”, - the recipe is my simple, homemade, full-flavoured cheat’s version of “çökertme kebabı”, full recipe link in bio - please make it. INGREDIENTS For the chips: 4 tbsp olive oil 750g (1lb 10oz) Cyprus or Maris Piper or King Edward Potatoes 2 tbsp cornflour 1 tsp sea salt flakes For the garlic yoghurt: 150g (5½oz) thick natural yoghurt 1 tsp finely grated garlic A pinch of sea salt flakes, or to taste For the spiced mince: 2 tbsp olive oil 500g (1lb 2oz beef mince 1 tsp finely grated garlic 2 tsp tatl biber salças (Turkish sweet (mild) red pepper paste) 1 tsp pul biber / Aleppo pepper + extra to garnish 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tap sea salt flakes1/2 tap coarse black pepper 10g fresh flat leave parsley leaves, finely chopped For the tomato “sos”: 1 tap olive oil 1 tbsp yatlı biber salçası (Turkish sweet / mild red pepper paste) 200g (7oz) finely chopped tomatoes (tinned or fresh when in season) 1 tsp pul biber / Aleppo pepper A pinch of sea salt flakes #melizcooks spiced #mince #crispy #chips #fries #garlic #easydinner #midweekdinner #fakeaway #turkishfood #simpledinner #dinner #melizcooks #fyp

Ok, what are you having for dinner tonight, because I really think you should make my Cheats’ Lahmacun Pittas. Even traditionalists like me love a good old cheats’ hack, especially when it’s as good as this! Recipe link to my blog in bio, please make it. SERVES 4-6 (MAKES 12 PITTA HALVES) Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 10 minutes 4 large, ripe tomatoes 2 large onions, peeled 1 large kapya biber (capia pepper), red romano or red bell pepper, deseeded, roughly chopped green çarliston (charleston) pepper or small green bell pepper, deseeded, roughly chopped 50g/1¾oz fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped 400g (140z) lamb or beef mince 4 large garlic cloves, finely grated 1tsp ground cumin 1½ tsp paprika 1½ tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper/ Turkish red pepper flakes) 3 tbsp tath biber salças/ (Turkish sweet (mild) red pepper paste) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp fine sea salt 1 tsp coarse black pepper 6 large pitta breads, sliced open into two flat pieces 2 lemons, quartered Pickled peppers, to serve For the salad: 1 large brown onion, peeled and very finely sliced 258 (10z) fresh flat leaf parsley. leaves, roughly chopped 1 tbsp sumac 1 tosp extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp sea salt flakes #lahmacun #pitta #easyrecipe #quickrecipe #salad #melizcooks #recipehack #recipereel #dinner #PleaseMakeIt

Chicken, Chips & Salad. Sunday dinner sorted. 1 x whole chicken, approx 1.8kg-2kg 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp sea salt 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano Pinch of coarse black pepper 1 whole lemon, thinly sliced 3 bay leaves A few thyme sprigs 1 whole garlic bulb, halved 800g Maris piper potatoes, cut into 1cm thick chips 2 tbsp cornflour For the salad: coriander, spring onions, tomatoes, red peppers, cucumber, celery, black olives, dried mint, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt Method Preheat oven to 230c fan. Cut the back bone out of the chicken, brush the underside with 1 tbsp olive oil, half of the sea salt, 1/2 tsp dried oregano and black pepper. Turn oven and repeat with 1 tbsp olive oil, half of the sea salt, 1/2 tsp dried oregano and black pepper. Place the lemon, bay, garlic, thyme in the bottom of a very large shallow baking tray, place the chicken on top, skin side facing up. Place in the middle of the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Pat dry the chipped potatoes, add them to a large bowl along with the cornflour, toss well until fully coated, followed by the remaining 2tbsp olive oil and oregano, stir well. After the chicken has been roasting for 30 mins, add the chips to the tray, turn the oven down to 190c fan, pop back in the oven for 20 minutes, take the tray out, remove the chicken to a chopping board to rest for 20 minutes (the internal temperate of the thickest part of the chicken in the leg should be 75c and juices should run clear + remove the garlic, lemon and herbs too), give the chips a gentle stir (try not to break them up) and return to the oven for another 20 minutes until golden brown all over. Carve the chicken and serve on the platter with the salad. #melizcooks #chicken #chickenandchips #roastchicken #chips #potatoes #sundaydinner #sundaylunch #melizcooks #fyp

Happy 3rd birthday to my first book baby, Meliz’s Kitchen! Let’s celebrate by making The original Meliz Cooks’ One Pot Lamb Mince & Pasta - but we all know it’s SO much more than just lamb mince and pasta in one pot! This is 💯 happening in my kitchen tonight - shall we see how many of us can make it for dinner tonight? 🤣🫶🏼🧿 Had to be re-shared. If you’ve made it, you know. If you’ve made it but your friends haven’t, then tag them. If you’ve not made it yet, it’s time for you to know. Full recipe on the reel and in #MelizsKitchen or simply google “Meliz One Pot Lamb Pasta”🧑‍🍳📕 #pasta #hellim #halloumi #homecook #kıymalıgaravolli #onepot #recipe #onepotpasta #Happy 3rd birthday to my first book baby, Meliz’s Kitchen! Let’s celebrate by making The original Meliz Cooks’ One Pot Lamb Mince & Pasta - but we all know it’s SO much more than just lamb mince and pasta in one pot! This is 💯 happening in my kitchen tonight - shall we see how many of us can make it for dinner tonight? 🤣🫶🏼🧿 Had to be re-shared. If you’ve made it, you know. If you’ve made it but your friends haven’t, then tag them. If you’ve not made it yet, it’s time for you to know. Full recipe on the reel and in #MelizsKitchen or simply google “Meliz One Pot Lamb Pasta”🧑‍🍳📕 #pasta #hellim #halloumi #homecook #kıymalıgaravolli #onepotrecipes #onepotpasta #melizcooks #fyp

Ok, what are you having for (lunch) or dinner tonight because this is THE perfect summer salad now and always 💚🧡💛🤍 The sweetness and soft texture of nectarines with cinnamon and honey, the bright and zesty flavours of orange, lime and fresh mint, the crunch of toasted blanched almonds, the subtle spice of pul biber, and finish it all off with the soft and crispy saltiness of pan-fried hellim. You can swap the nectarines for peaches or apricots, and also toss some cooked rice, quinoa or bulgar wheat in there too, but I’m quite happy with it as it is. Full recipe ingredients in the caption and method pinned in comments #PleaseMakeIt INGREDIENTS 3 tbsp runny honey 4 tbsp + 1 tsp freshly squeezed orange juice Zest of ½ large orange 1 tbsp + 1tsp freshly squeezed lime juice Zest of 1 lime 1 Turkish / Middle Eastern cucumber 1 x 250g block hellim (halloumi) 4 ripe nectarines ¼ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tbsp olive oil 50g blanched almonds 1/2 tsp pul biber / Aleppo pepper / Turkish red chilli flakes Small handful of fresh mint leaves A sprinkle of sea salt flakes METHOD •Take the hellim out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start preparing the recipe. • Mix together 2tosp honey and 4 tosp orange juice and leave to one side. • Mix the remaining 1 tsp of orange juice and 1 tsp of lime juice together. Zest the orange and lime and leave to one side. •Slice the cucumber into thin angled slices. Slice the hellim into 8 equal slices, then pat each slice completely dry. •Cut the nectarines in half and give them a little twist to pull the halves apart, removing the stone from the centre of one half. Leave two of the nectarines in halves, and cut the other four halves into quarters (leaving you with 16 wedges). Lay the nectarines, skin side down, on a plate. Mix together the remaining tbsp of honey with the ground cinnamon, and brush this all over the nectarine flesh. •Heat up the olive oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat, and once hot, fry the hellim on both sides until golden and crispy. •Remove the hellim to a plate lined with kitchen roll. •Carefully give the pan a quick wipe and place it back on the stove on a medium heat. Add the nectarines to the pan, flesh side down, and pour in any of juices left on the plate. Let the nectarines sizzle, and start to caramelise for a couple of minutes, then add the almonds to the pan so that they start browning in the pan, stirring them regularly. Check the nectarines and if they're nice and caramelised, remove them to a serving dish, leaving the almonds in the pan. •Pop the pan back on the heat and add the premixed honey and orange juice from earlier to the pan. Let the liquid reduce and thicken a little before adding 1 tosp of lime juice, 1 tsp of pul biber, and some of the orange and lemon zest and then taking it off the heat. •Arrange the cucumber, nectarine and hellim on a serving platter, and drizzle over the sticky almond dressing. Drizzle over the reserved lime and orange juice, and sprinkle a little sea salt on the nectarines and cucumber to serve. Finally sprinkle over the remaining pul biber and orange and lime zest, then the fresh mint leaves, and serve whilst the hellim is still warm. #melizcooks #salad #nectarine #peach #stonefruit #hellim #halloumi #lunch #dinner #cucumber #mint #honey #pulbiber #orange #lime #almonds #cinnamon #summer #summerrecipe #saladrecipes #crunchysalad #melizcooks

Tavuk Kapama (One-Pot Chicken & Rice): Happy 1st birthday to my second instant Sunday Times Bestselling book baby! 🥳🫶🏼💕💜💙🧿 Full recipe in Dinner Tonight and a slightly different version on my blog. Serves 4-6 Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 1½ hours 250g (9oz) easy-cook long grain white rice 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper/ Turkish red pepper flakes) 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp ground cumin 2 tbsp tatlı biber salçası (Turkish sweet (mild) red pepper paste) 2 brown onions, peeled and quartered 1 large red, green, orange or yellow pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped 6 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed 8 large, whole chicken thighs 1 tsp sea salt flakes 3/4 tsp coarse black pepper 1 chicken stock cube + 600ml (1pt) boiling hot water OR 600ml chicken broth 100g (3½oz) frozen peas 3 bay leaves 1 unwaxed lemon, cut into 6 wedges 2 tomatoes, halved and thickly sliced To garnish: Finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley #melizcooks #tavukkapama #easydinner #chicken #rice #reels #recipe #recipereels #fyp