Turkish Feud or is it Delight?

Not too sure about this new format for Blogger but I guess I don't have a choice in the matter.  Somethings are free in life, and when they are . . . well, one must go with the flow.  Life is at it's all encompassing peak right now with fortunes unfolding yet still no winning lottery ticket.  I've got spunk and a rather annoying hangover from the three Patron laced margaritas from last night . . hardly worth the subsiding headache having come home to my own bed without even contemplating some Mike Jagger moves on the dance floor.  My feet desire the beat, my heart spreading the word apart, my passion conceding to compassion . . . . let's get this party started!

Bel Aire, Remi Martin, Louis XIII, too much champagne, too many consecutive days of promotionary events . . . starting to feel a bit like Bill Murray in groundhog day.  It's been real, but I don't want to see a quail egg for a good decade, candied kumquat - no thank you; edamame tapenade and parmesean tuilles haunt my foggy dreams . . it all ends Thursday - thank flipping Jesus!!!

Something to type about . . . hmm, just finished a Turkish menu for a client and I can honestly say - I don't think I've really experienced much authentic Turkish food.  The world of the Kabob & Rice has long since been known to dominate the Persian empire cuisine (and that of awful mainstream Greek/Ottoman Empire fast food) and while most know not the merits of sumac or nigella seed (also known as Kalonji or Black Caraway) we all know hummus, dolmas, taziki (that minted yogurt cucumber dip), baba ghanoush (eggplant dip . . I like to smoke mine before emulsifying it up into a pasty dip) . . and of course, bakclava (the phyllo, honey, toasted pistachio or walnut pastry that sticks to your tongue and stimulates your . . . well, a bit of an aphrodisiac it is).  My menu isn't quite authentic in its entirety but then again, I can formidably lay fault upon those undersalted margaritas.  Not much of an audience to comment, but I'd appreciate any Casablanca thoughts or inspirations be they of the negative, postive or imperative sort.  Happy Sunday all.

Beginners

Mediterranean Platter
Organic Sheep Feta, House Pickles, Walnuts, Figs, Dolma, Imported Olives and Lavash

Lahmacun
Cumin corrupted Angus Beef with English Pea and Shallot in Turkish Flatbread

Falafel Favacake
Organic Fava Bean Petite Patty, Tahini-Soy Sauce, Parsley, Fresh Dill, Pickled Red Onion

Grilled Pita Pizzatas
Fire Roasted Eggplant-n-Tomato Marinara, Marinated Artichoke Heart, Oregano
Caramelized Fig Chutney, Sheep Feta Crumble, Mint Chiffonade & Toasted Walnut
 
Lollipop Lambchop
Fried Walnut-Pomegranate Molasses encrusted Lollipop Lambchop

Family Style Dinner

Summertime Salad
Black Sea salted Watermelon, Mizuna, Red Onion, Persian Cucumber, Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

Mahmudiye
Braised Free Range Chicken Thighs with Honey, Apricots, Almonds, Currants and Cracked Black Pepper served over Safffron Rice Pilaf

Bugulama
Lemon-Pinot Grigio poached Turbot served over Fresh Potato Slices, Parsley Confetti

Mucver
Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Egg, Red Onion, Fresh Dill

Charcoal Grilled Kebap
Kofte Kebap (Lamb with Mint, Oregano & Shallot) and Patates Kebabi (Potato with Bay Leaf)

Petite Pastries
Turkish Delight, Pistachio Baklava, Cardamom induced Rice Pudding, Rosewater Petite Four