Turkish cooking is some of the very best, with dishes that you wouldn’t be able to find in any other part of the world.
These dishes might be some that you have recognized as they have migrated from their home country, foods such as Baklava, Döner kebap, Lahmacun and Meze.
But rather than searching for days for a decent Turkish restaurant in your area, why not make your Turkish food at home?
There are plenty of female Turkish chefs and food (see also: 7 Female Chef Turkish Cookbooks You Do Not Want To Miss)writers that come from Turkey that specialize in writing about food from their home country.
So where can you find the best Turkish food cookbooks written by female authors? What are the best cookbooks for beginners to Turkish cooking?
Are there Turkish cookbooks for vegetarians and vegans? Well, we’ve done some digging and found some of the best Turkish cookbooks written by women.
So wipe down your kitchen surface and let’s get stuck in!
What Is Turkish Cuisine?
Turkish cuisine has a rich history that dates back to the days of the Ottoman Empire.
It has also influenced a lot of the surrounding regions such as the Balkans, as well as South, Central and Western Europe.
Within Turkey itself, the cuisine varies dramatically.
In the Istanbul region, the food is more moderately spiced and features more dishes like bulgur, koftes, eggplant and various types of vegetable stews.
The areas near the Black Sea use far more fish.
However, in the southeast in areas like Adana and Urfa, there is a prevalence of kebabs and desserts.
There are also plenty of side dishes that feature rich, vegetables, meat and bread. Turkish cuisine is some of the most diverse in the world.
Have we whet your appetite for Turkish food? Where can you find a great Turkish cookbook? Are there Turkish cookbooks aimed at beginners?
What cookbooks should experienced chefs try? Well, we have a list of some of the best Turkish cookbooks, all written by women.
7 Female Chef Turkish Cookbooks
OUR TOP PICK
If you want to get an extra helping of world cuisine, then we would certainly recommend that pick up these two-cuisine-in-one books.
This covers both Turkish and Polish recipes, featuring 77 Turkish recipes and 70 Polish recipes. This is a great place for Turkish food newbies to start.
This covers not only specific Turkish recipes but also a more general history of some of these meals, which will help you to understand why they are made the way they are.
The great thing about a lot of these recipes is that they are written with everyday people in mind.
You can pick up most of these ingredients from your local supermarket.
Pros
- A great starting point for those new to Turkish food
- Comes with plenty of recipes
- Covers all the regions of Turkey
- Ingredients that you can get from your local supermarket
Cons
- Hard to understand in places
EDITORS CHOICE
This cookbook aims to get to the very basics of Turkish cuisine, building you from the ground upwards.
This covers all types of Turkish dishes, from breakfast meals like yogurt-poached eggs to appetizers like Spinach Borek.
All the ingredients are healthy and easy to source.
This covers all of the preparation and cooking time so you’ll know exactly how long each meal will take before you embark upon it.
This will also list the number of ingredients that you will need as well as how to upscale that amount for more or fewer people.
Pros
- Covers a wide range of Turkish dishes
- Nutritional facts of every dish
- Easy-to-understand instructions
- Authentic Turkish dishes explained
Cons
- There aren’t color photos with every recipe
BEST VALUE
This next cookbook offers a twist on another niche in the Turkish diet, which is Turkish-Cypriot food.
This is the author’s unique experience of being in a multi-racial home and she has put her culinary knowledge to good use as well as giving it a revamp for a modern kitchen.
This book has recipes for a pistachio-crusted banana & Tahini French Toast with Orange Blossom Syrup and Smoked Bacon, barbecued chicken wings with garlic and kayseri pastirma Dressing and zucchini, feta & mint fritters.
There is a recipe for every time of the day or evening in this book.
Pros
- A blend of Turkish and Cypriot food
- Great for chefs who like a challenge
- Step-by-step guides and prep times
- Ingredients you can get from any supermarket
Cons
- Might be too complex for beginners
RUNNER UP
This next book brings Turkish cuisine from the streets and into the home with hundreds of recipes derived from her mother who has been running a successful restaurant in Turkey for nearly 20 years(see also: Female Chef Turkish Cookbooks You Do Not Want To Miss).
This is ideal for anyone who loves the word ‘authenticity’ attached to their dinner.
This not only features recipes but stories from the author’s homeland of Turkey, which is great if you want something enjoyable to read and you liked delving into personal histories of food in general.
Pros
- A personal history and recipe book
- Great for fans of real Turkish cuisine
- Comes with hundreds of great reviews
- Food that you can make in the home
Cons
- Might be another one that beginners want to avoid
RUNNER UP
This next recipe book has 65 authentic Turkish dishes that are perfect for making for big family dinners and other special occasions.
If you are thinking of putting on a big spread for the summer, then we can think of no better way than with a large platter of Turkish food.
There are meals here for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as appetizers, sweet treats and vegetarian dishes.
Pros
- Recipes from lentil soup to baba ghanoush
- Meals from all over Turkey
- Authentic and cooked to perfection
- Great for both newbies and expert chefs
Cons
- Could do with more diversity in the dessert section
RUNNER UP
This next cookbook comes with 175 recipes, all of which are dedicated to selling Turkish cuisine to the average American household.
It does this by including ingredients that you would be able to get from your local grocery store and having easy-to-understand instructions.
This focuses on the healthier aspect of Turkish food, looking at natural cooking oils, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.
This will help you to liven up your dull platter with just a handful of subtle spices.
Pros
- 175 Turkish cuisine recipes
- Focusing on the healthier aspect of Turkish cooking
- Put Turkish cooking on the American map
- Great for those trying a healthy alternative
Cons
- Might be beyond the abilities of newbie chefs
RUNNER UP
This book is 10 years in the making and is the final product of a journey that two friends took across Turkey.
This features 100 recipes that were inspired by the book Anatolian Days And Nights and details a lot of the recipes that were mentioned in that book.
There are many different recipes in this book, ranging from Circassian chicken, to carrot hummus with toasted fennel seeds, spice-route moussaka, lamb manti, stuffed grape leaves and Black Sea hazelnut baklava.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with all the recipes in this book.
Pros
- Plenty of authentic Turkish recipes
- Healthy options for vegetarians and vegans
- Over 100 recipes
- Great for beginners
Cons
- There might not be enough in here for expert chefs
Buyer’s Guide
If you are looking for a decent cookbook detailing Turkish cuisine, then there are a few things you’ll want to be looking out for:
Authentic Turkish Cuisine
For some cooks, authenticity is very important, as you won’t want to deviate too much from the original template. This is why having a history of the meal is important.
Budget Recipes
If you are on a tight budget, then you’ll want ingredients that you can source from your local discount supermarket.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to these Turkish recipe books written by female chefs and food experts has helped you to whittle down your choice to one or two favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turkish Food Healthy?
This all depends on what you are eating. There are plenty of these dishes that have large amounts of oil that can be unhealthy to eat in larger quantities.
What Is The Most Popular Turkish Dish?
Baklava is one of the most popular Turkish dishes, dating from the time of the Ottoman Empire. It is a pastry that is layered, covered in syrup and topped with pistachio nuts.
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