A comprehensive volume of both familiar Mediterranean-style food as well as Ottoman palace-inspired treats. French, Italian, Persian, and Arab influences are recognizable in this thorough cookbook containing over 300 recipes, including lentil and mint soup, stove-top kebab, falafel, rice pilafs, and baklava. Folk wisdom and parables about nourishment, food preparation, and dining that are inherent in Turkish cuisine traditions add cultural background to the recipes, and colorful photos on each page make this an inspiring and easy-to-use introduction to Turkish dining.