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MULTIMEDIA
May 27, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Enjoy summer in İstanbul by going on A picnic

The preferred cooking style when on a picnic is grilling on a barbeque. Just like any other style of cooking there is a technique to barbequing.
27 June 2010 / KAZIM PIYNAR, İSTANBUL
If you’ve decided to go on a picnic, then it’s time to prepare a picnic basket. You must make sure that you bring everything; otherwise, your day can be ruined.
Of course, the first thing you’ll need for a picnic is a barbecue grill. If all you plan on making is meat, then all you’ll need is a grill. But, if you want to roast cubed meat, then don’t forget your barbecue spits. If you want to make them on a saç (an iron plate), then don’t forget to pack it in your picnic basket as well. That’s just about all you need for meat. But is meat the only thing you are going to eat? A cup of tea outdoors can be very enjoyable. If you’re keen on enjoying tea, then you need to bring a samovar with you. Speaking of enjoying, a hammock is probably the most enjoyable part of any picnic. Don’t forget to squeeze that into your trunk as well. As for the meat and tea, everything is all set. But, it’s not going to be much fun for whoever will have to wait by the barbecue until the meat cooks. If you remember to bring a stool, you will be doing him/her a great favor. Otherwise, standing or kneeling beside the grill for hours will feel like torture. That’s why you shouldn’t forget to bring a foldable chair for that person. Also, you may not be able to find a picnic table everywhere you go, so bring a mat or rug with you.

It looks like the picnic basket is ready. Now we need to decide where to go. İstanbul offers a number of picnicking spots and many great opportunities to take in fresh air and get some rest. Let me offer you a couple of alternatives:

Fatih Ormanı is located close to the city and full of trees, making it a great alternative for the weekend. It is located three kilometers from the Bahçeköy sign on the Maslak Büyükdere Caddesi-Sarıyer Yolu. The park’s lower entrance can be found in the direction of Şişli-Ayazağa.

The Bentler, or small dams region, in the Belgrade Forest is one of the best places to enjoy a picnic. There are several walking trails and bike paths along the forest, offering visitors a variety of activities. It may be accessed by following the asphalt road that turns right immediately after entering the Belgrade Forest from the Bahçeköy entrance.

The Fatih Çeşmesi picnic area hosts many visitors, especially during the summer season. Spanning an area of 230 hectares, it has picnic areas, winding trails and plenty of oak trees. You can reach this area by passing through Kemerburgaz and going six kilometers in the direction of the Belgrade Forest.

The Tayakadın picnic area is one of the most well-known green spaces on the European side of İstanbul. It is preferred mainly by families and large groups. Thanks to the dense pine and oak trees, you can enjoy your picnic in a refreshing, oxygen-rich environment. Located on the shores of Terkos Lake, it can be found on the left-hand side of the road after passing Gaziosmanpaşa.

In the Odayeri picnic area you can lie on the grass surrounded by oak, hornbeam and chestnut trees and spend some alone time with nature. If you want to have a picnic, you can either bring your own food or shop in the nearby village. Odayeri can be accessed from the Ağaçlı Yolu, located six kilometers down the road leading to the village named İhsaniye, after passing Hasdal-Kemerburgaz-Göktürk.

The Gazi Mahellesi picnic area is an ideal venue for those who’d like to enjoy a nice day without having to leave İstanbul. While it does not have any seating, it is still very nice for walking and picnics. It is located near the dam. You can reach the area from the Gazi Mahallesi or from Kağıthane-Alibeyköy.

Picnic menu, barbecue, iron plate, pans

The preferred cooking style when on a picnic is grilling on a barbeque. Just like any other style of cooking there is a technique to barbequing. Before you start grilling you should prepare your charcoal, kindling wood, utensils, meat, vegetables, any other ingredients and the spices necessary for seasoning your food. When grilling the most important rule is to make sure the grilling surface area is wider then the food you are grilling. There should be plenty of charcoal on the grill to begin with, to prevent having to add more later. To start the flame, do not use chemical-based igniters. These types of igniters will give an unpleasant taste to the meat and vegetables, and they are not good for your health.

Grilling is a method of cooking that requires high temperatures in order for the charcoal to give the food a pleasant aroma and for the grill to leave a mark on the meat and vegetables. Once the charcoal is covered in a thin layer of ash and you can see the coal burning inside, you can then begin placing your meat on the grill. You must also remember that if your grill is dirty, your food is not going to stick to it properly. It is for this reason that after barbecuing, you should always scrub your grill wire with a brush and wash it with soap, before putting it away. To prevent meat, fish and vegetables from sticking to the grill, make sure you oil it first. Flip steak and chops by using a pair of tongs. If you turn the meat with a fork, the juice will leak out, leaving you with tasteless, dry meat. While cooking meat, occasionally brush it with some olive oil. As the meat’s juices accumulate in the center of the meat while grilling, and if you leave it to rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before serving, this will allow the juice to spread throughout the meat, making it taste much better.

 
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