Ezme Salad: a Traditional MEZE Salad (Antep Salad)

A light, fresh and flavorful salad that perfectly compliments kebabs or any grilled meat.

      No kebab is complete without a salad. In fact, I would say that if you go to eat kebab at a restaurant and they do not serve a salad with it, then there is seriously something missing and you should consider eating kebab at another place. Yes, the salad really is that important. Truth be told, the variations of salads may vary based on tradition and taste, but this Ezme Salad is a simple salad packed with the flavorful essentials to compliment your meal.

      I often make this salad and eat it as a meal because I like it so much. It the perfect blend of crunchy and soft and sweet and sour. All of the ingredients are pretty simple, except the pomegranate molasses may take some digging to find (depending on what part of the world you live in). In this case, feel free to sub it with a fruity tasting vinaigrette.

Here’s the recipe:

Ezme (Antep Salad)

• 1 tomato (chopped; about 3/4 c)
• 1/4 c chopped parsley
• 2 TBSP chopped mint
• 1/4 c chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/2 c chopped cucumber
• 3 scallions (chopped)
• 1/2 lemon (juiced)
• 2 TBSP pomegranate molasses
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (pull biber or Aleppo pepper)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1-2 TBSP olive oil
• salt (to taste)

Preparation:

Place all of the chopped veggies in a bowl.

Season with salt, ground cumin and red pepper flakes.

Pour over the olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate molasses.

Stir well until combined.

Serve and Enjoy immediately or pop it in the fridge and enjoy later!

Afiyet Olsun!