What food did Fatih Sultan Mehmed like?

Mehmed the Conqueror is one of the impressive leaders of the Ottoman Empire. This great ruler, who conquered Istanbul, is also known for his taste, which is fueled by the rich Ottoman cuisine. Meat dishes, vegetables, pilafs and desserts adorned the sultan’s table. Stuffed dishes, olive oil dishes and special rice recipes were among his favorite dishes. Desserts were also an important part of the sultan’s table. Mehmed the Conqueror’s food preferences reflect his interest in Ottoman cuisine.

What food did Fatih Sultan Mehmed like?

• Shrimp
• Fish
• Oyster
• Lobster
• Fried chicken
• Egg and Cheese Pita

When he conquered Istanbul at the age of 21, the 7th sultan of the Ottoman Empire and known by the Europeans as the “Great Turk”, Fatih Sultan Mehmed was called “the ruler who opened an era” after the conquest of Istanbul. Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the prophet of Islam Hz. As Muhammad states in his hadith, he is referred to as a “hero” in much of the Turkish and Islamic world.

What dishes did Fatih Sultan Mehmed love, a sultan who made his name known in world history? How was the taste? What was in the palace kitchen notebook? We’ve researched all the curious things for you. There was a kitchen notebook of the Topkapi Palace, made in the month of Shaban of 1473. Everything from the favorite meals of Mehmed the Conqueror to the most prepared meals in the palace and the expenses of the kitchen were recorded in the notebook.

In this month, cabbage soup was the most cooked food in the palace and the most consumed food by the people of the palace. Fatih Sultan Mehmed, on the other hand, favored shrimp, fish, oyster and lobster dishes this month.

Fatih Sultan Mehmed, who preferred to eat his food alone, loved fish and chicken dishes. In addition, eggs were mostly used in Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s meals. Eggs were used liberally in fried chicken, special porridge and cheese pita. While mutton, chicken, goose, head, trotter and tripe were the most commonly used meats in the palace, this order continued as cabbage, leek and spinach in vegetables.

In the Ottoman Empire, sherbet and compote were preferred over water. The people of the palace used rice instead of bulgur, sugar instead of honey molasses, brown bread and white sourdough bread instead of yufka.

At the palace table, the offerings began as chicken or turkey in the oven. Chicken and turkey would be stuffed with pistachio, raisins, chestnut, liver, ala stuffed rice and spices. After that, catering would continue with dishes such as meat, seasonal vegetables, artichokes with olive oil, imambayildi, fresh and green beans, depending on the season. There was a tray of rice made of pure amberbu rice with layers of quail and brains and cooked with base oil. Finally, the party would end with baklava with walnuts, pistachios or cream.

Information about the Ottoman palace kitchen

In addition to the rich culture and history of the Ottoman Empire, the palace kitchen was also of great importance. Ottoman Palace Cuisine became famous for its delicious dishes and unique flavors. This kitchen was a center where meals prepared especially for the sultans and the people of the palace were prepared.

The Ottoman Palace Cuisine had a structure that required great organization and mastery. It contained hundreds of cooks, assistants and masters. Each person working in the kitchen performed a specific task and contributed to the preparation of unique dishes.

The materials used in the palace kitchen have been carefully selected to be of high quality and fresh. Meat, vegetables, herbs and other ingredients must be of the best quality and freshness. That is why products specially supplied for the palace kitchen were preferred.

Ottoman Palace Cuisine had an extensive menu. Meat dishes, seafood, vegetables, rice, desserts and much more were offered. Each dish is created using elaborate recipes and traditional cooking techniques. The presentation of the food was also very important. Porcelain plates, silver trays and specially designed presentations also made the dishes visually impressive.

Sorbets and compotes also had an important place in Ottoman Palace Cuisine. Sorbets were made by mixing fruit juices, sugar and water. Sorbets made from different fruits were served as a refreshing and sweet drink. Compotes, on the other hand, were soft sweet flavored drinks prepared by boiling the fruits.

Other Preferences and Delights of Fatih Sultan Mehmed

Mehmed the Conqueror is a great leader who conquered Istanbul as the 7th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. His taste buds and food preferences had a rich supply, fueled by the palace cuisine of the period. Here is some information about Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s other likes and delights:

1. Meat dishes

Fatih Sultan Mehmed loved meat dishes. Meats such as mutton, chicken and goose were used extensively in the palace kitchen. He especially preferred stuffed dishes such as chicken or turkey stuffed with stuffed rice. In addition, seasonal vegetables with meat were often served in the palace.

2. Olive oil

Olive oil dishes, one of the indispensable dishes of Ottoman cuisine, were also on the table of Mehmed the Conqueror. In addition to olive oil dishes such as artichokes, imambayildi, fresh and green beans, olive oil variants of seasonal vegetables were also served.

3. Rice

One of the most important and delicious pilafs of Ottoman cuisine, plain amberbu rice with quail and brains was another favorite dish on Mehmed the Conqueror’s table. Rice made from this rice and cooked with base oil had an important place on the banquet tables.

4. Desserts

The Ottoman Palace Cuisine also offered a wide variety of desserts. At the banquet tables of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, baklavas with walnuts, pistachios or cream were among the most popular desserts of Ottoman cuisine. These desserts were specially prepared and presented to the guests at the end of the banquet.

5. Treats

Mehmed the Conqueror loved to receive his guests and offer them special treats. Banquet tables often started with large entrees such as fried chicken or turkey. Then it would move on to meat, seasonal vegetables and olive oil dishes. Finally, the feast was completed with a magnificent rice leaf and delicious desserts.

Heritage from Ottoman cuisine to the present

The rich culture, history and culinary tradition of the Ottoman Empire has survived to this day as an important heritage. Ottoman cuisine is a treasure filled with different flavours, different tastes and unique recipes. The legacy of traditional Ottoman cuisine continues to delight our taste buds in many ways.

One of the main elements that Ottoman cuisine inherited today is the subject of diversity and richness. The recipes and dishes of this cuisine have been shaped by the influence of different regions and cultures. This shows that Ottoman cuisine is a versatile and rich cuisine.

Sorbets, compotes, baklavas, pilafs and kebabs are some of the delicacies where we can find traces of Ottoman cuisine today. Sorbets and compotes, carefully prepared in the Ottoman palace kitchen, are still the preferred refreshing drink, especially in the summer months.

Baklava is one of the most famous and beloved desserts of Ottoman cuisine. This dessert, which is prepared with sorbet between thin layers of dough, is still consumed with great interest. Similarly, pilafs, which occupy an important place in Ottoman cuisine, are often on our tables today. Especially on weddings, holidays and special occasions, pilaf is served as one of the traditional delicacies.

Another popular flavor nowadays, with influence from Ottoman cuisine, is kebab. There are several types of kebab in Ottoman cuisine and these recipes are still consumed with great admiration. Various kebabs such as shish kebab, adana kebab, shish meatballs are among the flavors of Ottoman cuisine inherited today.

What were Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s favorite foods?

Mehmed the Conqueror preferred seafood dishes such as shrimp, fish, oysters and lobsters. In addition, many eggs were used in dishes such as fried chicken and pita with egg and cheese.

How important were vegetables on Mehmed the Conqueror’s table?

Vegetables played an important role on Mehmed the Conqueror’s table. The rich vegetable varieties of Ottoman cuisine were particularly prominently presented at the sultan’s table. Vegetables such as cabbage, leek and spinach were used extensively.

What was Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s interest in sweets?

Desserts also had an important place at Mehmed the Conqueror’s table. Baklava in particular was one of the famous desserts of Ottoman cuisine. Baklava, which was prepared with sorbet poured between thinly layered dough, was also one of the sultan’s favorite desserts.

How were the meals served in the palace prepared?

Meals served at the palace are prepared with carefully selected ingredients and the mastery of the palace chefs. Meat dishes were cooked with special recipes, vegetables were presented in a striking way. Pilafs were enriched with stuffed stuffed rice. In the palace kitchen, where every detail was thought through, meals were carefully prepared for the sultan to enjoy.

What other dishes were on Mehmed the Conqueror’s table?

At the table of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror there were many different dishes such as other meat dishes, pilafs, soups, olive oil dishes and seasonal vegetables. Expertly prepared in the palace kitchen, these dishes were carefully presented to satisfy the sultan’s palate.

What drinks were preferred at Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s table?

According to Ottoman tradition, sherbet and compote were generally preferred over water in the palace. These drinks were prepared with different fruits and sugar and decorated the tables. These potions were often found at Mehmed the Conqueror’s table.