By Ela Sathern By Ela Sathern | June 5, 2024 | Food & Drink, People,
Filmed in front of Istanbul Hawaii—the island’s only Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant that is rooted from a celebration of Owners & Executive Chefs Ahu + Nili’s unique mother-daughter bond—we asked our rapid-fire questions about food and cooking.
Watch it below:
1. Favorite ingredient to cook with? Lemon — we love its brightness and versatility.
2. Signature dish? Manti, — Turkish dumplings with Urfa pepper, pine nut, Turkish apricot has been around over 700 years. A refined version of this traditional Turkish dish, featuring Perigord truffle and A5 Wagyu beef, elevating it to new culinary heights.
3. Sweet or savory? Both are essential. Savory sustains life, while sweet brings joy. Each plays a vital role in creating balanced and satisfying meals. We believe in the power of both dishes to be both comforting and complex.
4. Favorite type of meat? Fresh fish is our preference for its subtle flavor and elegant preparation possibilities. It's also a nod to my passion for sustainable fishing.
5. Best cooking tip you've ever received? My mom’s knowledge using spices as an artist use hues to ensure even distribution for perfectly seasoned dishes.
6. Favorite cuisine? Mediterranean Turkish cuisine, rooted in my mother's teachings, and my Mediterranean memories shapes my culinary techniques and presentations.
7. Most challenging dish you've ever cooked? Baklava, with its demand for precision in crafting see-through thin dough layers, is a testament to the art of pastry.
8. Favorite food city in the world? Istanbul, a city that marries rich history with a profound culinary diversity of Turkey’s rich historical cuisine.
9. Top three essential ingredients in Hawaii + Turkish cooking? Hawaiian: Sea salt, Macadamia nut, and Honey. Turkish: Sumac, Urfa pepper, and Pomegranate molasses.
10. Favorite type of fish? Mediterranean Sea bass, prized for its crisp texture and sweet flavor, offering great versatility in culinary applications.
11. Must-have herb or spice in your pantry? Fresh thyme—it’s aromatic and works well in so many dishes.
12. One ingredient you can't stand? We appreciate all ingredients, even though we will not use some ingredients, but definitely not a fan of overly processed foods.
13. Favorite comfort food? Çoban salata accompanied by cured olives, unpasteurized feta cheese, evo and sourdough bread—a simple yet profoundly satisfying meal that we can eat every day.
14. Best food memory from your childhood? Making traditional Hatay kunefe with my mother and fishing in the Mediterranean with my father, where we would cook our catch directly on the boat.
15. Favorite Hawaii + Turkish dessert? Fresh fruit shave ice evokes memories of Turkish shave ice, highlighting a delightful similarity in the refreshing flavors cherished in both cultures. Turkish: Hatay kunefe, cherished for its indulgent layers and textures.
16. Best way to elevate a simple dish? Incorporate high-quality extra virgin olive oil; its rich, fresh flavors will transform a simple dish into a gourmet experience.
17. If you could cook for any celebrity, who would it be? Jane Goodall, for her lifelong dedication to conservation and animal welfare. Cooking for her would be a joyful opportunity to honor her contributions to environmental and animal conservation through a thoughtfully prepared, sustainable, and ethically sourced meal.
Photography by: Courtesy of Istanbul Hawaii