Dining and Cooking
Yayla Soup (Top 20 in the World!) + A Cozy Zero-Waste Turkish Dinner
In Soups

Yayla Soup (Top 20 in the World!) + A Cozy Zero-Waste Turkish Dinner



Today I’m sharing a full Turkish dinner menu built around one of our most beloved recipes: yayla çorbası, a creamy yogurt soup recently selected as one of the Top 20 soups in the world by CNN.
In this episode, I’m also showing the simple zero-waste habits I rely on every day — cooking with what’s already in my kitchen, using leftovers with purpose, and bringing everything together into a cozy family meal.

Here’s what we’re cooking:
– Yayla çorbası (Turkish yogurt soup)
– Butter pasta cooked without draining the water
– Sautéed leek & carrot side dish from leftover veggies
– Smoky roasted eggplant with yogurt
– Chicken sauté with spices
A comforting menu using minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Zero-waste habits I used in this episode:
– Turning yesterday’s mantı stock into the base for yayla soup
– Cooking pasta with just enough water so nothing is wasted + no strainer needed
– Making two vegetable sides from leftover leeks, carrots, and roasted eggplant
– Using one pan for multiple dishes to save time and energy
– Making the most of every ingredient, with nothing thrown away

If you enjoy easy, cozy meals, traditional Turkish recipes, and smart kitchen habits that reduce waste, I hope this video inspires you.

YAYLA SOUP:
1/2 cup rice boiled until very soft in about 3 cups of bone broth, or water
for the yogurt sauce:
1 egg
2 heaped tbsp all purpose flour
1 + 1/2 cup plain Turkish yogurt
1 tsp salt or as you like
enough boiling water for the consistency of the soup
also 2 tbsp butter
1tbsp mint

For Eggplant With Yogurt Meze:
3 medium size eggplant, grilled
salt to taste
about 1/2 cup or more full fat yogurt
1 minced garlic
for the oil sauce (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp paprika

For Leek Carrot Olive Oil Dish:
2 leeks, thinly slices
1 carrot, grated from coarsly side
4-5 tbsp olive oil
3-4 tbsp water
salt to taste
about 1 juice of lemon

For the Chicken Saute:
4 pieces of chicken thigh with or without skin (I used some of it and discard some of it)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 mild green peppers
salt, chili flakes, oregano to taste

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe for more Turkish home-cooking & travel stories.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVIj-OqEjXNqKpItChRrMQ/join

►SUBSCRIBE ► ►► https://bit.ly/3iirrRC
►FOLLOW ME FROM INSTAGRAM ► ►► http://instagram.com/turkishfoodtravel
►MY WEBSITE ► ►►http://www.turkishfoodtravel.com
► Facebook: ► ►► https://fb.me/turkishfoodtravel
► Don’t forget to subscribe and press the notification button: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVIj-OqEjXNqKpItChRrMQ?sub_confirmation=1

41 Comments

  14. @debbimeyersbrant

    Thank you for sharing and yes sitting around the table was where memories are made. I've always said the kitchen is the heart of the house

  21. @tastingpeace

    This is such a lovely and delicious collection of recipes ❤ Each dish has the soul of Türkiye along with your heartfelt passion for feeding your family 🇹🇷❤️ Thank you for your strength, your knowledge and your giving nature. I appreciate the time and care you put into each video 😊❤

  28. @sarikurniawatinurdwiyanto2322

    thank you aysenur for the recipie, this is very great idea, and i saw many time on your video to minimum kitchen waste, just like throwing water from washing rose onto rose plant, since i watch that video i tried to do the same thing, and this video very mindfull, jazakillaahu khayra aysenur, barakallahufik

  29. @beatricegalea9112

    Thank you for sharing with us these recipes. I have Cooked the Yayla soup and also the egg plant side dish, we prefer it with garlic. Interesting side dish is the leek and carrot, and also cooking the pasta without draining it afterwards, you gave me a good idea to try. Cooking in the kitchen for the family is really relaxing and making use of any left overs is a must for me, as I hate waste! When I cook I always add a spoon of love and a pinch of happiness and patience. God Bless you and your family. 💞🌷💞🇲🇹

  32. @barber0611

    even if I were a billionaire I would dislike wasting food…..much energy goes in to producing it!…..looks delicious as usual, thank you!

  37. @janetsmith5172

    Fantastic food msg from Australia 🇦🇺
    Very interesting doing absorption method for pasta – I do that for rice but never thought to do that with pasta
    Everything looks delicious and I wish I was sitting down at your table with you 🥰

  39. @cooktopia_0320

    I am your regular viewer from Pakistan 🇵🇰 ,I love your way of speaking and explanations about recipes. Stay blessed and keep sharing beautiful recipes

  40. @lindasummer2343

    That little pan delivered a nice variety of delicious flavors that make home cooking so special. Thank you for your time and knowledge.