Cooking Gorgeous

Hi, my name is Ayla, and I'm a professional chef based in the UK. The kitchen is my happy place, and cooking is my therapy.

I started this blog to share my expertise and recipes with friends, family and the world. I hope you enjoy the recipes and tips!

18/06/2026

I’m planning some new Turkish recipes for Cooking Gorgeous and would love your ideas.

Is there a Turkish dish you’d like me to make that I don’t already have on the blog? It can be something you tried on holiday, ate in a Turkish restaurant, grew up with, or always wanted to make at home.

Leave your ideas in the comments and I’ll add some of them to my list.

17/06/2026

Turkish Ice Cream, or Maraş Dondurma, is thick, stretchy, and creamy, with that chewy texture that makes it so different from regular ice cream. It always reminds me of summer in Turkey and those famous ice cream vendors who make you work hard for your cone!

I make my homemade version with milk, cream, sugar, salep, and mastic. It takes a little longer than regular ice cream, but it’s such a fun one to make at home.

If you’d like to try making it yourself, the full recipe is on the blog: https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/homemade-turkish-ice-cream-maras-dondurma/

16/06/2026

Kuzu Güveç is a traditional Turkish lamb casserole made with lamb or chicken, summer vegetables, and a simple tomato-based sauce. It is slowly cooked until the meat is soft and the vegetables soak up all the flavor.

This dish is usually made in a clay pot, but you can also cook it in a casserole dish or Dutch oven at home. My favorite way to serve it is with rice, bazlama, and çoban salad.
Full recipe is on the blog: https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/guvec-turkish-lamb-casserole/

14/06/2026

These Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters are made with grated zucchini, fresh herbs, and a few simple pantry ingredients. They’re ready in about 25 minutes and are great as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or light lunch with a spoonful of yogurt on the side.

Full recipe is https://mybestairfryerrecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-mucver-turkish-zucchini-fritters/

13/06/2026

I’ve just added a new bread recipe to the blog: Greek Bread - Horiatiko Psomi.

It’s a simple Greek village-style loaf with a golden crust, soft crumb, and slightly rustic texture from fine semolina. I bake mine in a loaf tin, so there’s no need to shape a perfect round or use a Dutch oven.

It’s great with feta, olives, soups, stews, grilled meat, or just a little olive oil for dipping. Leftovers toast really well the next day too. A nice, easy recipe when you fancy baking homemade fresh bread.
The link for the recipe is https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/greek-bread-horiatiko-psomi/

12/06/2026

This Phyllo Meat and Spinach Pie is made with crisp layers of phyllo pastry and a lightly spiced ground beef and spinach filling. It’s easy to put together, tastes delicious, and great for sharing.

Serve it for lunch, dinner, family gatherings, or as part of a mezze-style table.

Full recipe is on the blog: https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/borek-with-meat-and-spinach/

11/06/2026

Baklava Cheesecake brings together crisp phyllo, creamy cheesecake filling, pistachios, and syrup in one dessert. It has the flavor of baklava with a soft cheesecake center, and it’s a great one to make for holidays or family gatherings.

Full recipe is on the blog: https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/best-baklava-cheesecake/

10/06/2026

Karadeniz Pidesi, also known as Kapalı Bafra Pidesi, is a Turkish pide filled with ground beef, onions, and spices. Unlike the usual boat-shaped pide, this regional version is folded closed before baking, with the filling tucked inside the dough.

Serve it warm, sliced into pieces, for lunch, dinner, or a delicious snack to share with family or friends.
The recipe is https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/karadeniz-pidesi/

09/06/2026

Iskender Kebab is one of Turkey’s most famous dishes, and it’s not as difficult to make at home as it looks. Thin slices of döner kebab are served over warm pita bread, then finished with tomato sauce, melted butter, and a spoonful of yogurt on the side.
The recipe for iskender kebab is https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/iskender-kebab/
The recipe for homemade doner kebab is https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/turkish-doner-kebab-recipe/

08/06/2026

Sucuklu Yumurta is my favorite Turkish breakfast when I want something quick and delicious. I cook the slices of sucuk in a little butter until they start sizzling, then add the eggs and let them cook gently.

It’s ready in less than 10 minutes, and all you really need with it is plenty of bread to scoop everything up from the pan. I usually make it for breakfast or brunch, but it also works for a quick dinner when I don’t feel like cooking much.

Full recipe is on the blog: https://cookingorgeous.com/blog/sucuklu-yumurta-turkish-sausage-and-eggs/

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