Salep ~ Turkish Delight
This week has been especially bitter cold in New York and the tri-state area. On top which we had an unbelievable event, I’m sure you all have heard about the Miracle on the Hudson. A US Airlines pilot makes a remarkable landing in the middle of the Hudson River in New York City. At the office we were all shocked, the river is only a few blocks away from our office building. We all watched in an “Ah” and were all relieved that everyone a board the plane was alive. New York is a city full of exciting and remarkable events!
Salep ~ Aphrodisiac…
On bone chilling cold days like these, I love a hot cup of salep with some cinnamon on top. It warms me up in side making feel all so good. Salep is more of a Turkish – Middle Eastern very popular hot beverage, especially during the winter. What is interesting about this hot beverage, as you read in wikipedia, is that saleps powder is related to a species of orchids and is considered an aphrodisiac. It definitely is an aphrodisiac I can guarantee you that! This should be persuasive enough for you to try right?
I once ordered a something like chai latte from Starbucks, the smell and taste reminded me of Salep and Asure “Noah’s Pudding”. How ever, it did not have the flavor of our authentic Salep. I’m not a big fan of Starbucks and really didn’t care to go back for seconds. However, in Turkey I love going to a coffee shop and ordering a cup of hot & delicious Salep!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of milk (skim or whole makes no difference)
- 2 full teaspoons of salep
- pinch of cinnamon for dusting
- sugar – as per your taste buds if you like it really sweet
I find the prepared is sweet enough
Preparation
- Bring the milk to a broil in a small sauce pan or Turkish coffee pot.
- Into a nice size mug or tea cup, place the teaspoons of salep.
- Pour on the milk and stir, stir until the salep is completely dissolved.
The mixture will become nice and thick. - Sprinkle cinnamon on top and serve!
Enjoy!
Note: This makes for 1 person. For each additional person, add an additional cup of milk and 2 teaspoons of salep per each cup.
A tulip with cup of Salep!
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Tags: Cold, Freezing, New York City, Sahlep, Salep, Tulip, Turkey, Turkish Delight
Aysegul - NYSDELIGHT on 18 Jan 2009 at 10:20 pm #
So tonight 1.18.09 I’m having another cup! Im sort of addicted to this! Sprinkled some ground cardamon on top the taste was even better!
The Gourmet Girl on 21 Jan 2009 at 12:17 am #
Saw your Turkish Delight drink, do you have a recipe for the confection version of Turkish Delight?
Thanks for asking to be a friend.
Elaine – The Gourmet Girl
NYSDelight on 21 Jan 2009 at 12:12 pm #
Hi Elaine – good question, there are recipes but I have not tired to make them on my own. Most recipes are in Turkish – I will try a few recipes and post my findings. Will keep you posted! Thank you for accepting!
farida on 30 Jan 2009 at 6:36 pm #
I love salep but haven’t made them in a while. YOu just reminded me and I want some now:) Thanks for sharing the recipe, arkadasim.
NYSDelight on 02 Feb 2009 at 8:05 am #
Farida: Thank you canim – welcome back missed you!
MELISSA on 05 Feb 2009 at 12:12 am #
WHERE CAN I BUY SALEP IN NY, I BROUGHT SOME HOME FROM ISTANBUL, CAN’T FIND THE REAL THING. THANX, MELISSA
teeka on 08 Nov 2009 at 6:58 am #
Where oh where can I find Salep powder in America? I’ve found it in numerous other countries but can’t find it here. Please help! I live in Alaska, where it is bitter cold and dark right now. It would be great to have a cup of salep while it’s snowing outside!
Stephen on 13 Nov 2009 at 10:25 pm #
Unfortunately, due to the large number of Orchids required to make salep, the orchids are becoming very rare. As a result of this it is illegal to export real salep out of Turkey, so it will be extremely difficult (if not impossible) to find genuine salep outside of Turkey.
There are artificial saleps available, which are almost as good as the real thing.