What are you in the mood for?

Table balance

Alongside

A spoon of plain clotted cream or unsalted walnut deepens it without adding weight.

Table balance

Alongside

Grilled pepper and tomato with sumac onion is the classic foil to the smoke of the fire.

Table balance

Alongside

Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does.

Afterwards

Soup opens the meal: if a heavy main follows, keep its portion smaller. After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.

Table balance

To drink

Ayran or plain tea; a sweet drink beside pastry brings on fullness sooner.

Table balance

Alongside

A spoon of plain clotted cream or unsalted walnut deepens it without adding weight. Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate.

To drink

Unsweetened Turkish coffee or plain brewed tea — it resets the palate after syrup. Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.

Afterwards

Plain brewed tea; if you still want dessert, keep the portion small and wait a little.

Easy to miss

Skip sweet drinks next to a syrupy dessert — they flatten it. Plain water carries it better. A heavy main plus a syrupy dessert doubles the weight of one meal; share one of them.