Asma Yaprağında Sardalya
Sardines Wrapped in Grape Leaves

Ingredients
2 lb. Sardines, cleaned
Grape leaves (as much as the number of fish)
2 Tomatoes, peeled, grated
½ bunch Parsley, finely minced
¼ cup Olive oil
2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tsp. Salt

Instructions
Heat the oven to 320F. Soak the grape leaves in warm water for 1 hour, to get rid of the extra salt. Mix the grated tomatoes with parsley to prepare the sauce. Lay a grape leaf, stem side facing you, and the side with the veins facing up. Put 1 tbsp. of the tomato sauce, then top with a sardine, roll and transfer to a greased oven tray or a baking dish. Do the same procedure until all the fish is used. Brush the top of the leaves with olive oil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes, serve hot.

Karides Pilakisi
Shrimp with Tomatoes

Ingredients
2 lb. Shrimp, medium size, peeled and cleaned
1 Yellow onion, finely chopped
4 Tomatoes, peeled, cut into medium dice
(or 3 tbsp. Tomato paste)
¼ cup Olive oil
½ bunch Parsley, finely minced
2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Black pepper

Instructions
In a pan, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add the tomatoes or tomato paste, continue sautéing. If using tomato paste, add 1 cup of water. Cook until the tomato sauce is thickened slightly. Add the shrimp, cook for another 5-6 minutes, until the shrimp has turned pink. Then take off the heat and serve with chopped parsley.

Karides Güveç
Shrimp Casserole

Ingredients
1 lb. Shrimp, small size, peeled, cleaned
1 Onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp. Olive oil
2 Tomatoes, peeled, cut into medium dice
2 Long green peppers, sliced
10 Button mushrooms, cut into 4
1 cup Kaşar cheese, grated (may substitute Provolone)
1 tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Black pepper

Instructions
Heat the oven to 320F. In a pan heat the olive oil, sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add peppers and then mushrooms. Finally add the tomatoes. When the tomatoes have melted slightly add salt and pepper, cook until it becomes a thick sauce. Pour half of the sauce in an oven proof dish, top with shrimp, then rest of the sauce. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and bake in the oen for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese completely melts.

Kalamar Tava
Fried Calamari

Ingredients
4 whole Calamari, cleaned and cut into rings
2 tbsp. Flour
1 Egg
¼ cup Water
1 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Salt
Olive for frying

For the “tarator” sauce
½ cup Walnut meat, finely chopped
3 slices of Stale white bread, crumbled
5 cloves Garlic, minced
¼ cup Vinegar
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Salt

Instructions
To prepare the “tarator” sauce combine the walnuts, bread crumbs, garlic, vinegar, olive oil and salt in a  bowl and mix with the help of a fork while mashing to make a paste, set aside. (If you are going to use a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil, and pulse while pouring the olive oil).  Heat the oil for frying, meanwhile whisk the flour, egg with 1 tsp. of salt. Then add water and baking powder. Dip the “tarator” sauce while hot.