Cafe Fernando

Sourdough Simit

Cenk — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:28:35 +0000

I have a friend who doesn’t know what a sourdough starter is. Worrying, to say the least. What’s even more worrying is that she still ordered it and when it arrived, asked me to guide her through “a quick recipe” on the phone. “I have an hour before my boyfriend arrives and I want to [...]

Homemade Pomegranate Molasses

Cenk — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:05:29 +0000

Pomegranate molasses, which is made by reducing freshly-squeezed pomegranate juice into a thick, sour and sticky syrup, isn’t really molasses. It is simply reduced pomegranate juice. And if you’re adding sugar, you can even call it an extremely sour pomegranate jam. Pomegranate jam – one that is prepared by just pomegranate juice and sugar – [...]

Spicy Carrot and Green Lentil Salad

Cenk — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:27:35 +0000

I have been celebrating the New Year’s Eve at The Mansion for as long as I can remember. But last year, plans changed and at the very last minute, I found myself in Alaçatı – a small village far away from home. We arrived the day before New Year’s Eve and decided to check out [...]

Deeply Appley Apple Cake

Cenk — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:57:56 +0000

How I wish “applest” was a word. There really is no better way to describe this apple cake. After considering several titles, some of which are bordering on outrageous, like “The Applest Apple Cake”, “Ridiculously Appley Apple Cake”, “Appleooza Cake”, and the humble “Sweet & Sour Apple Bundt Cake”, I’ve decided to name it Deeply [...]

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Cenk — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:05:05 +0000

My homemade vanilla extract turns three! I’ve started with just three vanilla beans and have been feeding it with leftover beans ever since. It has turned into a monster. The smell is so intense, I’m sure I can make a fortune by selling tickets for people to take a whiff. I know just the recipe [...]

Tomato Confit, Pesto and Oven-Roasted Vegetable Sandwich

Cenk — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:55:41 +0000

Finally, after what has felt like an eternity, I’ve stepped out of the house. Or, as my father puts it, I’ve finally left my lair. Of course, I’m not counting the instances where I rush to the grocery store – looking like Dexter right after he fillets his victim (it’s pomegranate season) – snatch the [...]

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Cenk — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:56:24 +0000

It’s Sunday in İstanbul. 01:55 AM to be exact. I just churned an amazing strawberry ice cream. After eight trials, I think I’ve finally nailed it. I’ll go to bed in a few minutes and pray for clear skies. And in about seven hours, right after my first coffee, I’ll start the day with a [...]

Tartine Bakery, Bi-rite Creamery, Monument and Omnivore Books

Cenk — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:13:25 +0000

One rushed afternoon in San Francisco, I took a bite of this croissant at Tartine Bakery, leaned back in my chair and thought: “How wonderful the world would be if there was a Tartine in every city.” Of course, we would then need to clone Chad Robertson. Multiple times. An even more wonderful world. A [...]

No-Bake Chocolate Biscuit Cake

Cenk — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:28 +0000

No-bake chocolate biscuit cake is a staple in almost every Turkish mother’s repertoire. Turns out, we’ve all been eating like royalty! According to this article, no-bake chocolate cake is a tea time favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. In fact, it was one of the cakes served at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reception. McVitie’s [...]

Saveur’s Best Food Blog Awards & Chez Panisse

Cenk — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:57:47 +0000

It was one of the best meals I’ve had during my two weeks in San Francisco and certainly the most memorable dining experience of my life. My Chez Panisse Experience is nominated in Saveur’s Best Food Blog Awards 2012 in the “Best Single Piece of Culinary Writing” category. Thank you Saveur! It is a great [...]