şemsa's food per se

Everything Begins with the Rice

Why every good Turkish cook should first be judged by their pilav—and how an octopus found its way into mine.

Jul 6 • Şemsa Denizsel

18

1

1

June 2026

A new chapter in our lives is unfolding.

No matter what the circumstances are, the kitchen works, the table is set, and life goes on.

Jun 29 • Şemsa Denizsel

37

11

2

May 2026

Lahmacun!

When you suddenly crave something deeply, the task inevitably lands on your own shoulders.

May 15 • Şemsa Denizsel

30

3

4

April 2026

asparagus, sweet potatoes, fennel & baby arugula

an odd-yet-delicious salad for a chop

Apr 5 • Şemsa Denizsel

10

1

March 2026

nudging sweet potatoes

is such a thing possible?

Mar 28 • Şemsa Denizsel

6

1

strawberry vinaigrette

for a salad of boiled asparagus or any spring salad really

Mar 25 • Şemsa Denizsel

8

1

1

leek & polenta soup

a last call for winter

Mar 24 • Şemsa Denizsel

7

7

1

a bit of everything salad

cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, zucchini, mushroom and an orange with fresh coriander sauce

Mar 23 • Şemsa Denizsel

7

1

Food Journal

This is to be a journal of my adventures in the kitchen.

Mar 23 • Şemsa Denizsel

7

2

Börek Chronicles #6: Su Böreği

Layers of memory from my grandmother's kitchen

Mar 8 • Şemsa Denizsel

17

2

Börek Chronicles #5: Hand-rolled filo/phyllo/yufka

tears of joy of finally managing to roll a decent filo

Mar 1 • Şemsa Denizsel

12

5

2

February 2026

A syrup-soaked dessert of festive celebrations {Kalburabasti}

plus a rather not traditional approach to it as well

Feb 4 • Şemsa Denizsel

14

3