a new beginning.

Happy new year!

Welcome to my new blog about a subject dear to my heart [in both the literal and figurative sense]: food!

I've been cooking a lot recently and want to share my new recipes and food related escapades, so I thought i'd make it separate from my tirades on life and travel.

In brief explanation of the title:

An Evil Eye [or nazar boncugu, in Turkish] is a sort of talisman , with a story, that is found particularly all throughout the histories of Near and Middle Eastern peoples.

The idea and form of the evil eye, something I've always loved, is a major part of the culture and life in these places. In Turkey, for example, marketplaces are filled with little glass evil eyes to carry around, or more ornate ones to hang in homes or offices. They are hard to miss--you'll find them in the dolmus, in store windows, in peoples' pockets, or even on trees like this one in Cappadocia. Evil eyes are everywhere!

The story goes that if you carry one around or hang in on a wall, any evil that is encountered by your or that place will be captured by the evil eye. If the evil eye cracks you must get rid of it or all the evil will be released back onto you.


While I do include my nickname [ay] in the title here, I don't intend to put forth the idea that I capture evil. [I may be unlucky with air travel, but I don't draw evil towards me!] It's just because I like evil eyes...and because I'm an evil person, an Evil Ay. mu.ha.ha.ha.ha

But, you say, what does that have to do with food?!
Well, I'll tell you: nothing...
Other than the fact that food is a major part of Near and Middle Eastern culture, too. And by major I mean major.

Ok, so I guess it only really ties together in my mind, which, according to some people, is an unsafe and confusing place to reside. So, ignore it all and just enjoy.

One thing about this blog: I'd love to hear opinions and changes/recommendations you might have for recipes I put up here. I'm always trying to make my food better and I really appreciate honest criticism and suggestions. Additionally, I always encourage people to try a hand at cooking, so give some of the stuff here a go, put your own spin on it, and tell me how it turns out!