New country = New Food

Everyone who knows my Mum, will know that she's somewhat a food freak.  She's been heard to say that the thought of going without food sends her into panic, and you'll always find a cereal bar or raisins, or a wee chocolate biscuit in her bag.  So she came to Istanbul not panicked but slightly anxious at the thought of feeding a family of 4.

To say you get much the same food in Turkey as you do in the UK would be a lie.  You don't.  They aren't big on cereal here and for a four year old boy like my brother this is not good. We've found a small selection but they're not cheap.  Back home I've been eating Ready Brek and Weetabix, and you can't get them here.  Mum has managed to buy some porridge oats (again rather pricey) and I'm loving them.

Since we don't know the language choosing food, even the basics such as Milk was going to be a challenge.  We found out that Ayran is not milk, its a yogurt drink with salt added in that most Turks drink with meals (Ew!).  How did we find this out?  When Dad mixed it with Nesquick chocolate powder for Findlay's supper, thinking it was milk.  Surprisingly Findlay isn't bothered which kind of milk he has - he's been drinking fresh and UHT and is fine with both.  Mum, however is steering and clear and enjoying natural yogurt, of which there is loads.  You can buy it in huge litre tubs.  We've been eating it for dessert, breakfast with honey and in sauces for cooking (lovely fruity home cooked curry).

Choosing fruit and veg has been fun.  Mum stands, watches where people go and then follows.  We've had broad beans, apricots, cherries, fancy peppers and aubergine.  You pick your veg and take it to a man who weighs it and puts a sticker on it - just like in France.

Meat has been more challenging.  We've had mince and chicken and Mum is going to be more adventurous this weekend.  We've enjoyed some cold meats and also some fish (kalamari and salmon).

Convenience food is rare here.  You can't really get a pasta sauce, and you certainly won't see curry sauce or jars of sweet n sour.  Mum sees this as good.  Its encouraging her to be more inventive with meals.  With that in mind the selection of Baby Food is very limited.  I've not been in the habit of eating lots of jars but Mum likes to have a couple to hand for our and about.  Mum says she's lucky as I'll eat anything.  Since being here I've eaten everything from 4 month pureed smooth baby food to chicken curry with rice.  Mum cooked some peaches and pears, which I enjoy after my porridge also.

So we're not stuck for meals and in a way its good that you can't get the same food as back home.  Afterall, who would want pasta bake for dinner washed down with diluting juice every night?  We've got the right mix of some new and exciting foods mixed with a couple of comforting foods we enjoyed back home.

Afiyet olsun!