Step 1

Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F

Step 2

Combine the rinsed short grain rice and 450ml / 16fl oz whole milk, in a medium to large heavy pot. Stir and bring to boil over medium to low heat. Once it starts bubbling, turn the heat to low, cover and cook about 20 minutes, until all the moisture is absorbed. Make sure to check and stir occasionally so the rice won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3

Now add 900ml / 32fl oz whole milk to the cooked rice, stir and bring to a simmer, cooking over low to medium heat.

Step 4

Stir in the vanilla extract and sugar, combine well.

Step 5

Mix the cornstarch with 80ml/ 3fl oz whole milk in a small bowl, making sure the starch blends with the milk and form a smooth paste. Add this to the rice mixture.

Step 6

Combine and simmer over low to medium heat, with constant stirring, for about 25 minutes. You will notice the sauce has thickened. Turn the heat off.

Step 7

Pour the rice pudding into oven proof individual ramekin pots, taking care not to overfill until the top as the pudding tends to rise while baking. Place the pots on large baking dish or tray. Fill the baking tray half way with water, to provide moisture for the rice pudding.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven (200 C/ 400 F) for about 25 minutes or until the tops have a nice brown coating. Please check half way and towards the end to make sure the browning is good for your taste (and every oven is different, so it is good to keep an eye on it especially towards the end.

Step 9

Carefully take out the rice pudding, Firin Sutlac, from the tray. We enjoy ours warm, sprinkled with crushed pistachio, walnuts and dried freeze strawberries. You can also sprinkle cinnamon on top. If you prefer the traditional way, cool them at room temperature and refrigerate 2 -3 hours and serve cold.

Step 10

Afiyet Olsun.

Step 11

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F

Step 12

Cut the aubergines/eggplants in half lengthways leaving the stalk intact. In each half of the aubergine, cut a deep split lengthways without cutting through to the skin on the opposite side and leaving ½in/13mm uncut at either end. Sprinkle salt over the flesh side of the aubergines and leave them aside for 15 minutes.

Step 13

Dry the aubergines/eggplants with kitchen towel thoroughly. Place them on a baking tray, skin side down. Pour in the light olive oil (or canola or groundnut oil) over the aubergine halves and rub the oil all round them. Bake in the preheated oven (200C/400F) for 30-35 minutes, until they soften and start to get a nice brown colour at the edges.

Step 14

While aubergines are baking, put the green lentils in a pan of boiling water, stir and cover. Simmer in low heat for 15 minutes. Drain the water and place the lentils in a medium sized bowl.

Step 15

Combine the partially cooked lentils with onion, garlic, bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, salt, dried mint, olive oil and Turkish pul biber or chili flakes in the bowl. Season with ground black pepper; check the seasoning and add more salt if needed.

Step 16

Take out the partially baked aubergines from the oven and turn the heat down to 180C/350F.

Step 17

Once cool enough to handle, gently open up the cavity of the softened aubergines. Place them on a baking dish. Spoon the filling into the cavity of the aubergine/eggplant halves, also some over the top. Place a slice of tomato and pepper on each half. Pour 90ml/3fl oz water on the can of chopped tomatoes you have used, to finish off the left over tomato sauce. Mix and pour this on the baking tray. Cover and bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

Step 18

Then uncover the baking dish, and if you prefer, sprinkle some grated cheese over. Bake further 10 minutes or until they are tender and the aubergines/eggplants are nicely browned on top.

Step 19

Serve warm or at room temperature, with pide ekmek or crusty bread aside.

Step 20

Afiyet Olsun.

Step 21

Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F

Step 22

First prepare the eggplants (aubergines). Cut the aubergine in quarters and then slice into 1cm with pieces. Layer the aubergine pieces on a tray and sprinkle salt over them, leave them aside for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, dry the aubergines with kitchen or paper towel thoroughly.

Step 23

Spread the aubergine slices in a baking tray and pour in the 60ml/2floz olive oil over them. Using your hands, make sure that all aubergine slices have a nice coating of the olive oil. Bake for about 30 - 35 minutes in the preheated oven at 200C / 400F. Aubergines will start to get crispy around the edges, a nice color and soften up (you can alternatively sauté your aubergines on a pan with olive oil, though I find the baking easier and healthier).

Step 24

Heat the 2tbsp/30ml olive oil in a heavy, wide pan and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes, until soft and they begin to color. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, red pepper paste, can of chopped tomatoes, Turkish red pepper flakes, pul biber and combine well.

Step 25

Toss the sautéed aubergines to the pan and gently combine.

Step 26

Now stir in the rinsed bulgur and freekeh to the pan and mix well. Pour in the hot water and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, combine well. Reduce the heat to low for simmering.

Step 27

Place the tomato slices over the top, cover and cook for 30 minutes, until the liquid is evaporated and the grains are cooked (add a little more hot water if needed). Check the seasoning and add more salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Turn the heat off. I like to rest the dish and settle the flavours for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 28

Serve with refreshing Shepherd’s Salad, Coban Salatasi and/or Cacik dip with cucumber and yoghurt aside.