AYRAN (Yogurt drink)

`I dare say that a man of our country spends more on food in one day
than a Turk in twelve... The Turks are so frugal and think so little
of the pleasures of eating, [How wrong he is in this last remark!]
that if they have bread, salt and some garlic or an onion and a kind
of sour milk which they call yogurt, they ask for nothing more. They
dilute this milk with very cold water and crumble bread into it and
take it when they are hot and thirsty... it is not only palatable and
digestible, but also posesses an extraordinary power of quenching the
thirst.'  (Quoted in Ferdinand Braudel, `The Mediterranean in the age
of Philip II', Fontana 1972 ).


This was what the Fleming G. de Busbecq wrote in 1555 in his `Turkish
Letters', while in Anatolia. Times have not changed much as Ayran is
still the most common drink offered at any time and particularlu with
meals in Turkey and North Cyprus. It is very refreshing and satisfying
but also quite filling, so it is best not to serve it in large
quantities.

(Serves 4)

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
250 gr (8 oz) thick sheep's milk yogurt
150 ml (1/4 pint) cold water
A little salt
Mint -dried or fresh

Preparation

Put eveything -except the mint- in a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes
until smooth and lightly frothy. Alternatively, beat in a bowl with an
egg whisker, until well amalgamater. Pour evenly to each glass and put
some mint on every glass to serve.

From: R. Salaman, (1991), The Cooking of Greece and Turkey, Sainsbury Cookbooks, London.

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Ayran
Iced Yogurt Drink

A staple beverage of Turkey, particularly appreciated on hot summer
afternoons.
 
  
Total time 10 minutes 
  
4 cups drained yogurt
8 cups ice cold spring water or sparkling mineral water
1 tbsp. dried or 2 tbsp. fresh, finely chopped mint
2 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/4 cup lemon juice, or to taste (optional)
 
  
With a whisk or a blender, combine all ingredients until completely
smooth. For extra tartness, add lemon juice. Serve fully chilled, with
one or two ice cubes.
 
  
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An Introduction to Turkish cuisine

http://www.turkeypagesonline.com/TurkishCuisine/AnIntroductionToTurkish.html