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Table balance

Alongside

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

Afterwards

Soup opens the meal: if a heavy main follows, keep its portion smaller.

Table balance

Alongside

Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.

To drink

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.

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

Arugula, lemon and thin-sliced onion; fish needs no heavy sauce beside it.

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

Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Grilled pepper and tomato with sumac onion is the classic foil to the smoke of the fire.

To drink

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