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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. 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. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.

Afterwards

After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.

Easy to miss

Iced water only masks the heat for a moment; it comes back quickly. On a meze table balance beats variety: one yogurt-based, one olive-oil, one sharp is enough.

Table balance

Alongside

Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Arugula, lemon and thin-sliced onion; fish needs no heavy sauce beside it.

To drink

Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.

Table balance

Alongside

Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate. Arugula, lemon and thin-sliced onion; fish needs no heavy sauce beside it.

Afterwards

After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.

Table balance

Alongside

Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate. Arugula, lemon and thin-sliced onion; fish needs no heavy sauce beside it.

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.