Pilav (Turkish rice) , Sebzeli tavuk (a chicken dish) , salad, yogurt, and bread.
When you picture a celebratory dinner with friends, what do you imagine? A group of people sitting at a table, each with their own plate of food? That’s what a lot of people consider normal, at least back in the UK (although you could argue dinner on a tray in front of the tv is more normal for some! ;o) ) That is not the common thing here in Turkey. Dinner time is special.
Back in May, we went to our Turkish friends’ wedding. What an experience that was! (expect a post about that soon!!) A few days ago, they told us the good news that they are expecting their first baby.. or babies. They’re pregnant with twins! To celebrate, us, and a few of their family members went to their house for dinner.
In Turkey, dinner time is family time, and traditionally food is eaten while sat on the floor. After working long hours and being away from the home all day, the entire family gathers around a blanket on the floor. A tray containing plates of food, a few loaves of fresh bread & a pile of cutlery is placed on the blanket and everyone tucks in, often sharing a plate between two or more people. Turkish people are very family orientated, I suppose why not share? On this particular occasion, we even shared drink glasses. I know what you’re thinking, I can hear you gasping in horror. I must admit, it used to bother me too. After a while, you get used to it. I actually have a lot of respect for this way of eating now. It’s special. The whole family gathered on the floor sharing food, no distractions, no greed. Everyone eats what they want. It’s practical more than anything else, less waste, and of course less washing up ;0)
One thing I will say, however.. It gives you terrible pins & needles. Oww.
xx
livingtheturkishdream.com 
I always think of meal timre as family time. But I must say: I don’t serve up meals on the floor! Sounds like over there, it’s a picnic every day – wow!
Oh yes! 🙂 it’s supposed to be healthier…not healthy for my poor knees though 🙂
I love eating this way too but my knees are very stiff these days and it takes me ages to get up!
I just get terrible pins and needles lol:)
It’s not a thing in turkey that share your glasses…etc, we don’t also eat from same plate. I think it’s your family’s decision to do so, but it is not Turkish way.
Oh really, apologies then. I’ve been to different friends and family’s houses and they all did this, maybe they are more traditional 🙂 or just dont like washing up, hehe.
I’ve been to my daughter’s in-laws house for dinner several times. First time, we ate on the floor just as you described -but we all had our own plate glass etc. Great communal way to eat and I thoroughly enjoyed the food. However I have a bad back and my daughter’s m-in-l was concerned about it – I wasn’t – I was more concerned about my knees and my backside and not revealing my knickers as I hooshed myself around even though I had a long skirt on! Next time they had borrowed a table as they had sensed my discomfort. Lovely food and lovely people and I’m doing exercises in advance of my next visit so that we can go back to the floor again.
This made me laugh a little! I’m always worried about flashing them too, usually cover myself up with the blanket we sit around 🙂 Aww how nice, Turkish people are very accommodating arent they 🙂
my partners family always sit on the floor ,like your not with your own plate,just digging in together it and they pass one glass around.i too thought it was a traditional thing as all the Turkish houses I have visited do it also, maybe its a regional thing to our area danni. though I disagree on the less washing up bit,usually when we go to my partners family there is more little plates per person than if we just had one plate each. it is nicer though,feels like an occation and special x great blog x
Possibly 🙂 Berkay is from Denizli though and they do it there too, we all sat around a whole chicken once! Yes makes you feel closer, who else would you want to share your food with? lol 🙂 thanks x
A lot of our neighbours here share meals in exactly the way you describe.
When we visit our Turkish friends, everyone tends to have their own plate and glass, but we all eat from the same dishes.
Love your blog by the way!
Thanks!
I’m married to a Turk from Izmir for 25 years and I’ve never had to sit on the floor to eat on my knees…..never even seen it before. I think that it is your family’s tradition…..
…..love your blog though and will follow.
We do the same Dannı when wıth the famıly…. a whole Balık sprıngs to mınd!! They gıve me a cushıon now and a knıfe now haha.
Ps really have enjoyed readıng thıs blog… lookıng forward to reading more very talented ındeed and every word you have saıd ıs everythıng ı have experıenced… Well done you xxx
Haha, oh yes, forgot about not having knives!
Ahh, thanks hun 🙂 xx
Your blogs are lovely danni ……
And yes many familys eat this way here in turkey I think its lovely ….
me too! thanks x
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