Ingredients
• 1 cup black olives, pitted
• 1 cup green olives, pitted
• 200g feta cheese, sliced
• 150g kasar cheese, sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons za'atar spice mix
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 4 slices whole-grain bread
• 4 boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon sumac
• 4 Turkish simit (or bagels), optional
- Arrange the black and green olives in a small serving bowl or platter.
- Place the sliced feta and kasar cheeses on a separate cheese plate.
- On a large platter, organize the sliced tomatoes and cucumbers artistically.
- Drizzle olive oil evenly over the tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Sprinkle the za'atar spice mix over the olives and tomatoes for added flavor.
- Garnish the tomatoes and cucumbers with roughly chopped walnuts and fresh mint leaves.
- Toast the whole-grain bread slices until they are crisp and golden brown.
- Slice the boiled eggs and arrange them on a plate.
- In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with honey until well combined.
- Dust the yogurt mixture with sumac to add a tangy, lemony touch.
- If opting for Turkish simit or bagels, slice them in half and toast if desired.
- Set the table with the prepared ingredients, allowing everyone to assemble their own breakfast plates as they like.
- Enjoy your Healthy Turkish Breakfast Spread with Olives and Cheese!
Q1: Can I substitute the olives with any other ingredient?
A1: While the olives are a key component of the Turkish breakfast spread, you can substitute them with marinated artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
Q2: What can I use as a replacement for kasar cheese if it's not available?
A2: If kasar cheese is not available, you can substitute it with a mild white cheese such as mozzarella or a slightly tangy cheese like provolone.
Q3: Can I prepare the components of the breakfast spread ahead of time?
A3: Yes, you can prepare the olives, cheese, tomato and cucumber slices, yogurt mixture, and boiled eggs ahead of time and assemble the spread just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.