ABOUT

Welcome to my blog, my name is Sonay, I am originally from Turkey, but I have been living in the UK since 1999. I moved here to improve my English but met and fell in love with my British husband and never ended up going home.

Although I am a lover of all foods, and at home we cook cuisines from all over the world, sometimes I get a craving for the Turkish food that I ate growing up. As you’ve probably guessed, that’s why my blog is called “Turkish Cravings”. Here you will find lots of heartwarming Turkish recipes that have been passed down in my family from generation to generation.

While growing up in Turkey, food was a big part of my life. Actually, let me re-phrase that, food plays a big part in everyone’s life in Turkey! I clearly remember having big Sunday breakfasts sat next to a warm stove, always placing one extra plate on the table in case somebody pops by unexpectedly. Or setting up a big dinner table full of amazing food throughout Ramadan to share with our neighbours and extended family. Best of all, being the youngest sibling, I got to enjoy all of these Turkish delicacies without being expected to do too much cooking.

After I moved to the UK, my life changed drastically. All of a sudden, my responsibilities had gone from being a carefree student to being an au pair. I was looking after two delightful children while trying to learn English at the same time. As I lived with an English family, I almost always prepared English food for them.

It was only after I got married that I realised how much I missed the Turkish food and flavours of my youth. I began to go back to cooking Turkish food, and it was like a love lost and found. For me, cooking Turkish food thousands of miles away from home means more than just preparing a meal. It is about re-connecting with my culture, heritage and Turkish identity.

My family is from Halfeti, a town near Gaziantep in the South East of Turkey. Gaziantep is one of the world’s major gastronomic cities and has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Known for its spicy food, Gaziantep was heavily influenced by travellers and traders from the Silk Road and the ingredients and spices that came with them. The recipes I’m going to share with you will be primarily from this region but will also feature Turkish cuisine from other places.

I genuinely think that Turkish cooking is under-appreciated around the world. There is more to Turkish food than kebabs, and I hope to change your perceptions of what our cuisine has to offer. So read on and join me as I share with you my love of Turkish food.