Dine Like Royalty With Ottoman Almond Soup

Did you know that modern Turkish cuisine has many dishes that date back to Ottoman times? The Ottoman Turks were known for their opulent dress, decor and cuisine over a span of more than 500 years.

This recipe for creamy almond soup comes straight from the palace kitchens in Edirne, once known as Adrianople. It’s said to have been served at important events like royal circumcisions, and that’s how it made its way to tables of the wider population. Almond soup is also said to have been a favorite of several important Ottoman princes.

This rich, delicious soup is still prepared today in many fine restaurants and for formal entertaining at home. The recipe hasn’t changed much over the centuries. Almond soup is made with only a few ingredients, including raw almonds, beef stock and coconut. You can garnish it with chopped,toasted almonds or a bit of chopped parsley and a few fresh pomegranite seeds.

If you’re looking for a magnificent soup for your next formal dinner, or simply want to impress friends and family, try this recipe for Ottoman almond soup and dine like royals.

Photo © Elizabeth Taviloglu, 2014