Michael Symon adds smoky flavor to a classic Greek-Turkish dish by grilling eggplant for the base, then topping it with a meat sauce and a rich bechamel sauce.
Cited as one of the country’s “best creative fusion practitioners,” Seattle-born Ana Sortun graduated from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine de Paris before opening Moncef Medeb’s Aigo Bistro in Concord, Massachusetts, in the early 1990s. Following stints at 8 Holyoke and Casablanca in Harvard Square, she opened Oleana in 2001, immediately drawing raves for dishes that The New York Times described as “rustic-traditional and deeply inventive.” Awarded the “Best Chef: Northeast” honor by the James Beard Foundation in 2005, her cookbook, SPICE: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, was published in 2006 and has become a bestseller. Sortun also owns Sofra Bakery & Café and Sarma, a traditional Turkish-styled tavern. Ana's Restaurants:Sofra Bakery & Cafe (Cambridge, MA)Sarma (Somerville, MA)Oleana (Cambridge, MA)Ana's Books:SPICE: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean (2006)Soframiz (2016)
Lee Harper made a bet with a native Turk co-worker that she could make authentic Turkish food. Tyler takes on this Turkish challenge and helps Lee serve up some Stuffed Baby Eggplant, Baklava and Yogurt Soup. The only thing left is the judgement.