Wednesday, April 7, 2010

KIRMIZI BIBER - TURKISH CHILI FLAKES



Today, I am once again going to talk about another fabulous goodie that my friend Jessica (from Maryland) brought me back from her trip to Istanbul...

"Kirmizi Biber" are Turkish red pepper flakes (this name is also used to describe whole chili peppers). It is one of the most useful and popular spices in Turkish cooking. The flavor of this fine blend of chilli peppers ranges from mild and sweet (the version I have) to fiercely hot. The peppers are rubbed with olive oil and gently roasted until dark red giving it an unmistakable as well as unique flavour and aroma.


Try sprinkling "Kimzi Biber" over your dips (hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, etc...), sauces (tomato sauces), soups (hot yoghurt soup, tahini and chickpea soup, etc...), stews, vegetables (imam biyaldi, baked potatoes, etc...), salads, pasta (Italian or Turkish like Manti ravioli), cheese (halloumi, feta, fresh cheese), seafood (scallops, any fish, etc...), grilled meat (kebabs, steaks, etc...) or in your sandwiches (Turkish fish sandwich). It's unique smoky sweetness will enhance any dish with it's irresistibly round flavor. It is without doubt a very convenient condiment to have in the kitchen!

39 comments:

  1. We use the Indian Chili. Just wondering how different the Turkish chili is going to be.

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  2. Hi Rosa
    Gosh, I must look for this wonderful spice.
    Awesome photos x

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  3. The color is stunning and it sounds like a terrific spice!

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  4. Out of all the spices at the bazaar in Istanbul, I bought this! Yay... I can't wait to use some, thanks for the great suggestions!

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  5. I would love to try it in all these dishes.

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  6. I'm not familiar with this type of chilli but I'll take your word for it. I adore it on lots of dishes too!

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  7. Rosa, this is one of my favourite ingredient!!!

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  8. I'm looking for this type of pepper, I should really look harder. Maybe I can do mail order. Thanks for the info Rosa!

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  9. I love the color too Rosa! and I love Turkish Cuisine! huggs, gloria

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  10. Wow - thanks for sharing, I cannot wait to get my hands on some to try for myself - you have me very curious!

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  11. what a beautiful color...I bet it adds such great flavor

    sweetllife

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  12. Rosa I need to meet your friend Jessica, not doubt she is a fabulous girl with great food supplies ;)
    I want this spice for roasted lamb...

    All the best,

    Gera

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  13. what is the difference to usual chili flakes ?

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  14. wow what a lovely colour flakes...bright and so beautiful click as well

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  15. beautiful vibrant color..I may never find that kind of chili flakes here..I love spicy food and I add chili flakes to almost everything..thanks for sharing! :)

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  16. Hmmm - I somehow doubt my local will stock this, but I'll certainly ask!

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  17. C'est très intéressant. Merci pour la découverte!

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  18. I love the color, and I'd love to taste it. Sounds fantastic!

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  19. I love chili flakes and use them all the time. I haven't tried the Turkish ones yet, but I'm sure they taste wonderfully.

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  20. rosaaaaaaaa :) you love my country :) i know :) heheh :)
    If your pepper finish(and pastirma :)) send me an e-mail :) ok ? :P

    xoxo

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  21. What a pretty spice! I bet it's fantastic on top of hummus, like you said!

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  22. Rosa,
    I'm very jealous! anytime my friends travel I always ask for spices!
    What are you going to make?

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  23. Never heard of this, but it looks interesting. Love the intense color.

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  24. Sounds like a must-have for any pantry.

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  25. That blackberry is amazing... move over Weston.. it just takes on a whole new way of looking at a berry. Love the biber... can't wait to try it on a turkish fish sandwich... my that sounds great@@@@

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  26. this pepper looks like something I'd try!

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  27. The flakes look amazing. Sure to add a lot of spice and life into dishes.

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  28. they sound really exotic and appetising, i love it when someone goes abroad and brings me an ingredient or something to eat, cheers

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  29. This is really gorgeous. Beautiful picture, Rosa, and it sounds intriguing. I am certainly not adventurous enough! I must start learning.

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  30. Your photo is really striking, Rosa! The color is beautiful and it sounds as though the flavor would make it well worth a search.

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  31. I was just looking for this the other day! can't wait to see how you use it

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  32. Deux tres belles photos Rosa, vraiment!
    Passe un tres bon weekend.

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  33. NATURAL SELECTION: It is so great to have friend who don't mind bringing back food from their trips... I don't know yet what I'm going to make with it. I already used this spice in an Italian dish and it tasted amazing!

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  34. Turkey is a rich land and they have lots of spices which we are using on daily basis and some spices are still undiscovered...

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  35. Ooh I need to look out for this. Sounds like something I'd sprinkle and anything and everything!

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