The exotic aroma of home

Review of Istanbul Kavarna

Coffee. The most mundane, generic, ordinary hot beverage we share with the whole world. But at the same time something so particular and specific, culture-wise and individual that really boggles the mind if you just imagine how many types of coffee there are on the globe.

In this review, I will, though, focus on one particular type of coffee, which is here in Slovenia, called Turkish coffee. Do not be deceived by the name – it does not denote its origin but its preparation.

Turkish coffee, as I know it, is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a menacingly-looking stormy black brew circling around a tiny cup. Its taste: intense, aromatic, hot and should be sipped and not drunk. The end of this intense affair is as bitter as you can imagine. The residue, which has stubbornly avoided the cruel fate of a filter, gives you a final poisonous kiss of farewell.

Why do we love it then? A force of habit, addiction to a strong taste? I do not have an answer for you, I’m afraid. I have seen, though, many changes in our habits, in the last 20 years. People have got used to other types of coffee that are mainstreaming our market and less and less Turkish coffee has been offered in cafes around town.

But not all is lost for all those persistent souls who have not yet abandoned all hope and converted to Italian espresso. Turkish coffee in Ljubljana is coming back! In its original form.

Coffee in Istanbul Kavarna

ISTANBUL KAVARNA is a new coffee place on Dunajska cesta just across Gospodarsko razstavišče.

Its a charming little place run by nice Turkish staff, slightly nervous newbies but very kind and helpful. The coffee, as you can see from the picture, is a genuine ritual. It is not a Starbucks monstrosity, as far removed from coffee as dinosaurs from modern times. It is not something to be rushed but enjoyed in the company of friends and good conversation. It provides you with three elements: strong, confident brew in a delicate, detailed silver cup, the sweet and soft lokum, and a bit of water in a pretty, flowery glass.

All the elements were there on my first visit, including my friend, who is a great conversationalist. On top of that, the waiters made me feel like home with their kind, unobtrusive ways of helping. In the end, it’s not just the taste that makes us addicted to coffee, it’s the fact that coffee makes us take a pause in our busy lives, makes us enjoy little details of a simple consummation of a beverage and gives us enough time to maybe have some great convo, do a crosswords or simply relax with some pleasant thoughts.

In my opinion, all these factors were achieved in ISTANBUL KAVARNA which will definitely receive another visit from me in the near future.

Ljubljana has been cursed by English weather!

Comfort food for rainy days!

Rice dessert for rainy days

It’s been raining for days now! OK, not really raining all the time, but it’s sounds more dramatic and depressing than the reality, which is MUCH, MUCH worse. There is practically NO sun! I feel like a mussel, trapped in a big,dark pot, waiting for something to happen. Even being boiled right now would be a preferred state to this stand still.

But… There is always a solution! In FOOD! Yes, capital letters! Food can be comfort, can be joy, can be a discovery or just a glimpse of our past. In days like this, I’ve decided to make a dessert which is a combination of my mum’s recipe and my own twist on it. And voila, here is the result.

Now, to explain what it is. Have you ever had milk rice? Milk rice in Slovenia used to be really popular. Mothers would make it for their kids, schools would have it on the menu for breakfast. Just a few pinches of cocoa on top and you get a meal that will last for hours.

My dessert is a baked version of this lovely breakfast meal, you just need to add some eggs and a few secret ingredients I’ll keep to myself 😉 and you’ve got yourself a simple, filling dessert.

Now, if pure simplicity is not really your cup of tea (it’s not for me;)) then you can play around with various toppings. When I was a kid, my mum used to pour fruit syrup on the dessert. It was delicious! But, I refrained from being this lazy and unhealthy, so I made a blueberry topping. Also my boyfriend decided to buy a whole kilo of blueberries and I had a sneaky suspicion, we would get fed up with eating fresh berries in a day or two.

So, that’s it. I’ve tried it and immediately forgot about the weather. It took me back to my mum’s kitchen and the fun times I had as a child. Hope my boyfriend loves it too when he comes back from work. Fingers crossed! 😉