# Meze and Wine > recipes inspired by tradition and the joy of slow living ## Posts - [Turkish Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli (Şehriyeli Pilav)](https://mezeandwine.com/turkish-rice-pilaf-with-vermicelli-sehriyeli-pilav/): Turkish rice with vermicelli (şehriyeli pilav): a simple, flavorful pilaf with fluffy rice and vermicelli toasted in butter. - [Ham Rolls with Potato Salad & Pickled Peppers](https://mezeandwine.com/ham-rolls-with-potato-salad-pickled-peppers/): Simple ham rolls with potatoes and pickled peppers — a quick, filling appetizer perfect for parties, picnics, or easy breakfasts. - [White bean dip with sun-dried tomatoes and basil](https://mezeandwine.com/white-bean-dip-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-basil/): Tuscan-style white bean dip with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Ready in 10 minutes, vegan, no cooking. - [Acili Ezme – Turkish Spicy Tomato Salad](https://mezeandwine.com/acili-ezme-turkish-spicy-tomato-salad/): Some dishes are difficult to place into a single category, and Acılı Ezme is definitely one of them. It can be a salad, a dip, a condiment, or a sauce for grilled meat all at the same time. Originating from the Adana region of Turkey, this traditional recipe combines tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and spices into a vibrant, fresh, and slightly spicy mixture. Its texture is similar to a very finely chopped salsa, while the flavor balances sweetness, acidity, saltiness, and heat. In Turkish restaurants, Acılı Ezme is almost always served as part of a mezze platter, alongside kebabs, pide, grilled meats,… - [White Bean Dip with Wild Garlic](https://mezeandwine.com/white-bean-dip-with-wild-garlic/): White bean dip with wild garlic – a fresh and flavorful twist on a classic recipe, perfect for the wild garlic season. - [How to Peel Tomatoes – A Beginner’s Guide](https://mezeandwine.com/how-to-peel-tomatoes-a-beginners-guide/): Learn how to peel tomatoes the easy way using the blanching method. A simple step-by-step guide. - [Roasted Eggplants in the Air Fryer](https://mezeandwine.com/roasted-eggplants-in-the-air-fryer/): Air fryer roasted eggplants — soft, flavorful, and mess-free. Perfect for traditional Romanian eggplant salad or other dishes. - [Guacamole](https://mezeandwine.com/guacamole/): A creamy, healthy avocado dip - perfect with nachos or fresh veggie sticks. - [Homemade burger buns](https://mezeandwine.com/homemade-burger-buns/): Simple homemade burger buns — soft, fluffy, and delicious. A little work, some waiting, and a fantastic result. - [Oven to Air Fryer conversion chart](https://mezeandwine.com/oven-to-air-fryer-conversion-chart/): Learn the simple rules for oven to air fryer conversion: lower the temperature, shorten the time, enjoy energy savings. - [Romanian White Bean Dip (Fasole Batută)](https://mezeandwine.com/romanian-white-bean-dip-fasole-batuta/): Discover fasole bătută, a Romanian classic: smooth white bean dip topped with sweet onions, perfect for any appetizer spread. - [Htipiti – authentic Greek feta and roasted pepper dip](https://mezeandwine.com/htipiti-authentic-greek-feta-and-roasted-pepper-dip/): A creamy mix of feta, roasted peppers, and olive oil, Htipiti is a Greek appetizer that works as a dip, spread, or meze centerpiece. - [Roasted Peppers in the Air Fryer](https://mezeandwine.com/roasted-peppers-in-the-air-fryer/): Roast peppers in the air fryer—no smoke, no mess, just perfect charred flavor. Almost as good as over a wood fire, ready in 20 minutes! - [Best Family Air Fryer? We got the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer AF500!](https://mezeandwine.com/best-family-air-fryer-we-got-the-ninja-foodi-flexdrawer-af500/): Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer AF500 review – big 10.4L capacity, dual-zone cooking, and powerful 240°C heat for versatile family recipes. - [Cauliflower and Cheese Bake (Romanian-Style Gratin)](https://mezeandwine.com/cauliflower-and-cheese-bake-romanian-style-gratin/): Vegetarian cauliflower casserole with cheese and sour cream. Perfect for weeknight dinners. - [Turkish Onion and Sumac Salad Recipe](https://mezeandwine.com/turkish-onion-and-sumac-salad-recipe/): A fresh Turkish onion and sumac salad with parsley, lemon, and olive oil. Perfect side dish for kebabs, kofta, lamb, or grilled meats. - [Gazpacho](https://mezeandwine.com/gazpacho/): Gazpacho is a classic Andalusian chilled tomato soup, perfect for hot summer days. Simple, fresh, and quick to prepare with seasonal vegetables. - [Iç Pilav – Turkish Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Raisins](https://mezeandwine.com/ic-pilav-turkish-pilaf-with-pine-nuts-and-raisins/): In my hometown, I’m lucky to have a rather fancy butcher shop. They are excellent when it comes to pork, minced meat for kebabs, and their own homemade specialties. Most importantly, everything is always fresh. I’ve made it a habit to stop by every couple of days, since we prefer cooking with the freshest cuts of meat possible. On my last visit, I picked up some kofta and an Adana kebab. The kebab was for me, as I’m the only one in the family who enjoys the spicy kick, and I thought it would be the perfect occasion to have a… - [Tzatziki](https://mezeandwine.com/tzatziki/): Cool, creamy, and packed with fresh flavor, this easy tzatziki recipe is the perfect Mediterranean dip. - [Piyaz Salad with White Beans, Tomatoes, and Onions](https://mezeandwine.com/turkish-piyaz-salad-with-white-beans-tomatoes-and-onions/): A fresh and vibrant Turkish white bean salad with onions, tomatoes, parsley, and a tangy touch of sumac — ready in under 15 minutes. - [Oven-baked salmon meatballs – perfect for picky eaters!](https://mezeandwine.com/oven-baked-salmon-meatballs-perfect-for-picky-eaters/): Today, I’m sharing a simple and healthy recipe: baked salmon meatballs, a delicious alternative to classic frozen fish fingers. Served with crispy fries and a small side salad, they’re irresistible, even for the pickiest of kids. For this recipe, I used salmon fillet – any salmon will work, even pieces that are less than perfect. Fresh salmon is ideal, but frozen salmon works just as well. I chose to use a meat grinder because food processors tend to turn salmon into a fine paste, which lacks texture. If you have the patience, you can also finely chop it by hand –… - [Cornmeal vs. Polenta: understanding the key differences](https://mezeandwine.com/cornmeal-vs-polenta-understanding-the-key-differences/): We Romanians are one of the few European nations where polenta is a staple food. This is somewhat surprising, considering that Romania is geographically on the opposite side of the world from the Americas, where corn was initially grown. Yet, over centuries, corn has become an integral part of our culinary identity, deeply embedded in our traditions and culture. A Journey Across Continents Corn and polenta have a captivating history in Europe. Maize was first introduced to Spain in 1530 and gradually spread across the continent during the 16th century. The earliest references to polenta in its modern form come from… - [Recipes section: A Celebration of Simple, Flavorful, and Cost-Effective Cooking](https://mezeandwine.com/recipes-celebration-of-cost-effective-cooking/): This section of the blog is here to inspire you with recipes that fit into your a lifestyle while honoring the richness of culinary heritage. ## Pages - [Privacy Policy](https://mezeandwine.com/privacy-policy/): This page is a work in progress, and many changes will be made in the next few days. Last updated 15 January 2025. Who we are Our website address is https://mezeandwine.com. Comments When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form and the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help detect spam. 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