BBQ Burnout

Yup, it happened. I experienced barbeque burnout after the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. It's an interesting phenomenon experienced by many of pit masters, cooks and cooks helpers out on the barbecue circuit. After spending a weekend around barbecued meat, your body and mind simply craves something different.

Last night my body was craving Turkish food. Turkish? Isn't that primarily grilled meats? Well, yes it can be, but there's some fantastic vegetarian options at my favorite local Turkish restaurant Anatolian Gyro.



Anatolian Gyro is not much to look at; being your standard nondescript store front Brooklyn restaurant, but their food is excellent. The menu is not extensive, but what they do, they do very well. My game plan was to pick up some hummus and/or some Baba Ghanoush, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and order the mixed appetizer plate. For $11.50 I got a plate of all the cold appetizers that Anatolian Gyro offers.

Hummus (mashed chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, spices), Eggplant Salad (Char grilled eggplant pureed with garlic, herbs, tomatoes and parsley), Piyaz (White beans, red peppers, parsley, onions, vinegar and oil), Baba Ghanoush (Grilled eggplant pureed with tahini, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice), Tabule (Mixture of cracked wheat, scallions, parsley, tomato and lemon juice), Mixed Eggplant (Fried small pieces of eggplant mixed with garlic and tomato sauce), Stuffed Grape Leaves (Grape leaves delicately filled with rice and herbs), Beet Salad (Carrots, beets, dill served with herbs), Pan Fried Eggplant (Fried eggplant served with yogurt sauce), and finally Russian Salad (Boiled potatoes, eggs, carrots, pickles, green peas mixed with mayonnaise).

I tell you, this was a great meal. The plate was overflowing and I was unable to finish it all. I had never tried the Piyaz, Russian Salad and Beet Salads before. They were eyeopeners. The Piyaz especially made me pause. Outstanding. I'll be ordering each of these from now on.

So when the heat is on this summer, or like me you experience your own version of barbecue burnout, check out your local Turkish restaraunt. Or better yet, come on out to the Bay and stop in at Anatolian Gyro. Tell them WhiteTrash sent you.