Recipe: Turkish Beverages - Sahlep and Ayran

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SAHLEP

4 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 Teaspoon sahlep powder

Mix sugar and sahlep powder in a pan. Add the cold milk stirring constantly. Heat the mixture until it boils again stirring constantly. Let it boil for 2-3 minutes and remove from heat.

Serve it warm and garnished with cinnamon.

Tips:
The thicker the sahlep is, the better. Sometimes addition of a little bit of starch might help to get the desired consistency. It is a remedy for sore throats and colds, therefore it's mainly consumed in the winter months.

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AYRAN

Ayran has been one of the most popular drinks of the Turks since the discovery of Yogurt among the Turkish tribes in Central Asia.

It is simply made by diluting yogurt with water. Some salt is added to taste.

It not only accompanies any meal but is drunk as a refreshing drink by itself. It is common among all regions of the country only the slight variation being its thickness. Especially in south, for example, thicker ayran is preferred.

Source: Burak Sansal