“Yesterday, I was reading your beautiful book and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It's so nicely written and every person richly described, and I admire how you are able to keep the balance in telling the story of the many people involved. Also an astute observation in the many subtleties of growing between two cultures. Wonderful visuals and tidbits of information, and in general such wonderful work. It's a tribute to your parents.” - Amalia 09.17.2021

“I love this cookbook! I sometimes wish there were more photos in cookbooks, especially with some of the more complicated recipes -- and this one has them! I also love the history section in the beginning as well as the information and background provided for every recipe. I cook for multiple Turks and they all were surprised that a full-blooded American made food that tasted like their mother's cooking!” - Amazon Customer June 28, 2019

“This book is unique among Turkish cookbooks in the way the author's life and stories gives context to the recipes included. I spent the first three days after receiving this book at Christmas just reading the family stories and looking at the photographs of pre-Otttoman through modern times. Trock's family stories are almost like a Forrest Gump of Istanbul history, with relatives turning up at all sorts of events and situations that are emblematic of the life of that city, for good or bad. The stories are fascinating on their own, but the accompanying recipes make it even more special. I own and use many Turkish cookbooks and feel like the photos and instructions included here are the best I've ever seen for explaining some of the idiosyncracies of Turkish cooking, such as how to prepare roasted eggplant for the puree served with Hunkar Begendi. The book is also very beautiful and lovely to handle, reflecting Trock's training as an architect and artist.” - Amazon Customer August 6, 2015

“I started cooking these recipes and have yet to produce anything short of absolutely amazing. Got this book since I’m a pretty Jewish girl married to a Turk :)” - Amazon Customer December 8, 2017

"Ralph had previously told us that you had written a cook book but we were unprepared to see a volume that was so rich in content and also aesthetically beautiful... not only are there clear recipes included but there were also instructions on how to put it all together. I remember my Mother, when trying to tell someone how to make some exotic dish, would say "put in a little bit of this and/or a little bit of that", leaving it up to the listener to translate the quantities. Your book specifies quantities and time in measurable units. With that kind of guidance anyone might be able to do it! We are anxiously waiting for our "Signed by the Author" copy. Maybe we are biased or influenced by the excellent pictures of the food that we hold so dearly.  We think the book is a great accomplishment and we just wanted tell you ourselves and to congratulate you on a wonderful book and a beautiful work of art."   - Love, Norma and Sol Eskenazi

"I made the albondigas de Prassa from your book and am happy to report they are just like my moms! The only problem with my mom's is that she doesn't follow a recipe and adds "a little bit of this and a little bit of that" and I could never get it right...until now...thank you so much!" - Vivianna

“As someone with too many cookbooks, trust me when I say I am very hesitant to buy a new one. This one was *well* worth it.
Her personal stories about her family are funny and heartwarming, and very familiar for anyone with immigrants in their family history. I love her telling of both the Jewish and Muslim sides of her family and how they came together with her parents.
The best part of all is the recipes though. My husband and I had a wonderful time visiting Turkey years ago and these recipes took us back to all the smells, textures, and tastes of Turkey. I was amazed by how many recipes were quick & easy to make! In short, I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone interested in learning how to prepare easy and delicious Turkish dishes.” - Amazon Customer - September 24, 3013

 "It is book mania over here. I started reading it right away and a month later everyone at the Menase Manor started to read it. They are slowly going through it but every day they are like "Did you see this story? Did you see this recipe?" So much great stuff!" - Yvette Menase

  " I am so glad you took on this project! I love the book and am picking a recipe every Sunday and making it. I made the meatballs with lemon sauce..... excellent.  ....Last night I made kofte from one of the meat recipes and my family loved them. I am having so much fun!"  - Dulcie Dana

   "Wow,  wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your unbelievable cookbook, and unbelievable is an understatement!! What a beautifully written memoir and not to mention the over-the-top recipes and illustrations. The cookbook is truly award-winning...wait til James Beard gets a hold of it!!  You have launched yourself a new career Beyhan!!  You are truly talented!!"  - Julie

   "We loved the book–it is both a culinary feast as well as a deeply personal account of intimate life details. It is a blend of wonderful visuals, anecdotal stories, beautiful family portraits, and obviously mouth-watering recipes that we can’t wait to cook ourselves". - Amalia and Avi Levi

 "The dinner party was a great success, much due to the "lentil/bulgur rollups" and your fantastic yoghurt cake!  Many, many praises from our neighbors!! Expect at least one more book sale." - Nan Fuhrman