CookDiaries

‘Turkish’ coffee is the method used the prepare coffee throughout the Middle East the Balkans and, of course, in Turkey. The secret of preparing Turkish coffee is to create a rich, creamy layer of froth at the top of each cup that imparts the flavor.

Turkish coffee is best prepared in a small pot with a long handle called a cezve (often spelled jezve or gezve). You can find these pots in various sizes but the most common variety can accommodate two to four cups of coffee.

For every cup of Turkish coffee you wish to serve, use one teaspoon of coffee powder. Note that Turkish coffee powder is much more finely ground than other coffee varieties. Turkish coffee is usually ground at home using a grinder made specifically for this purpose. However, you can also purchase the coffee powder in specialty shops.

When preparing Turkish coffee, you need to add the sugar at the beginning of the process rather than at the end. Add 1-3 teaspoons of sugar per serving, depending on taste. You can use brown sugar, but regular white sugar creates more foam and that is what many people prefer.

Now add a cardamom seed for extra flavor. You need to crack open the cardamom pod to expose the inner seeds. Those have all the flavor. Extract the seeds and throw away the outer pod. Crush the seeds extra fine and use them sparingly. A half a teaspoon should do the trick.

Now add water to the pot. Chlorinated water can ruin the taste and prevent the foam from rising, so if you’re not sure about the quality of your tap water it’s better to use bottled water. You need to add about one espresso cup of water for each serving of coffee. Be sure to leave a little room at the top of the pot for the coffee to boil up.

Now place the coffee over a low heat. Turkish coffee cooks up quickly so you want to be able to catch it before it boils over. Give the ingredients a thorough stir at this point. From this point forward, you should not stir the coffee again. The point is not to disturb the creation of the foam.

As soon as the coffee begins to froth on the top you need to take it off the fire. Skim a little of the foam from the top and place it in the bottom of each cup.

Now boil up your coffee a second time and take it off the flame. Let it rest for a minute and then put it back on the fire. In total, you want to let your coffee boil up three times.

Now you’re ready to pour the coffee. Do your best to preserve the foam by pouring into the side of each cup. Pour slowly to allow the froth to rise to the top.

That’s it! Wait a minute or two for the grounds to settle in the cup before drinking your Turkish coffee. Stop drinking when you feel the first bit of ‘mud’ on your tongue. You can leave the rest of the grounds at the bottom of the cup.

One of the wonderful things about summer is having a bounty of fresh produce available at the local markets, and one of the favorite foods of the summer months are cobblers made with berries. Berries can be used in a variety of ways and a simple and crowd-pleasing favorite is a mixed berry cobbler.

Aside from being delicious, berries are touted as being a top anti-aging superfood. In her book, “Powerful Plant-Based Super Foods,” registered dietitian Lauri Boone writes about berries being at the top of the chart when it comes to levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are known to increase brain functioning, keep the skin youthful and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Containing health-promoting amino and fatty acids, along with a number of cell-protecting antioxidants, acai berries are full of anti-aging properties, protecting against chronic diseases by boosting immune functions.

Blueberries, known as the “blue dynamos,” are loaded with manganese and vitamin K, both of which help to maintain strong bones.

Packed with flavonoids, cranberries are an infection-fighting wonder. Research also suggests cranberries help fight cancer and keep the heart healthy.

Mulberries are a rich source of polyphenols, which research suggests helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy. Mulberries also contain high amounts of vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Despite being one of the most naturally sweet berries nature produces, blackberries are remarkably low in calories and a great choice for anyone trying to lose weight. Blackberries have a very high concentration of antioxidants, helping to fight off heart problems, periodontal disease and decline in cognitive functioning.

Mixed berry cobbler can be made from any combination of berries. Each berry variety added to a recipe only seems to complement and enhance the flavors of all the others. Here is a tried and true mixed berry cobbler recipe:

Ingredients:
4 cups mixed berries
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9- by 6-inch rectangular pan or a 8-inch round cake pan or pie plate.

Add the berries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and lemon juice to a large bowl. Stir gently until the berries are coated and then spread the berries evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Place the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl, whisk together and set aside. Add the butter, the remaining brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of vanilla to a medium-size bowl. Mix together until well-blended. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until the dough begins to come together in large crumbs. Spread the dough evenly over berries.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the top of the crust is lightly browned and the berry juice begins bubbling. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Yields 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 30 minutes