Chicken Topkapi

[kimmie]

Hi Everyone, We come to calis 2/3 times a year and always our first restuarant visit is Georges for the same meal Chicken Topkapi both me and hubby just love this dish . I would really like to cook this meal at home but i cannot find a receipe i have tried the internet but no luck can anyone help i have only see this dish in calis not any other parts of turkey. I can guess the basic ingrediants but not sure how to put it all together. Any info appreciated.

[Jacqui Harvey]

There was a thread on here previously about this dish.  I would love to have a try making it, but I think, like Phil says about Efes, it never tastes the same in the U.K. as it does in Turkey.
This is the thread
http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=33565.0

[Lotty]

Is this any good?

[Lotty]

I seem to think it is a stuffed breast? Anyway this a copy of a recipe of Keith Floyd's and could easily be adapted.   

[philrose]

That's definatly Chicken Topkapi, I've made it a few times and it's very good, but I think the one they serve at George's is a different dish...

[philrose]

The second recipe is more like what they serve at Geore's allbeit using chicken breast rather than a whole chicken..

[Lotty]

Yes Phil, that's what I thought, as long as ingredients are right it'll be easy to adapt to a stuffed breast.   

[JohnF]

i have only see this dish in calis not any other parts of turkey.

Like many of these "ottoman" named dishes, each chef/cook will make it the way they think it should be made.  As regards Topkapi Chicken, some will stuff the chicken breast, other wont - the rest of the ingredients will change depending on a) where you're eating it, b) how much you're paying for it and c) what ingredients are readily available at the time.

You could look at books by authors such as Claudia Roden, Greg Malouf or Rebecca Seal, or try for an English version of Sharon Croxford & Özge Samancis Flavours of Istanbul, where you may find an approximation of what you're after.  These are all in English - if your Turkish is up to it (mine certainly isn't now!) I can also recommend some Turkish authors who specialise in Ottoman cuisine.

JF

[Jacqui Harvey]

Just a though, next time in George's ask Hussain, the Chef for the recipe.  Then you will have a good copy when you make yours.   

[loz]

Gordon makes my Topkapi Chicken, I make the sauce.  I have nearly got the sauce right, but Gordon has the Chicken just right.  He also makes my Turkish Green Beans in sauce.  I think he is a keeper ;-)
In Calis the best Topkai was a young chef at the Palms (restaurant now gone) the nearest I could get to it was at Dawn Beach this year.