Betül Tunç's new cookbook shares the recipes behind her viral dough videos
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Instagram sensation Betül Tunç shares insights into her journey from creating a viral dough-punching video to becoming a cookbook author. Tunç's viral fame stemmed from her Instagram account Turcaz Kitchen, where she showcases her baking skills and passion for using vintage kitchenware. The episode delves into Tunç's dough-making expertise, highlighting her emphasis on quality ingredients and the art of patience in allowing dough to rest properly.
The discussion offers a glimpse into Tunç's recently published cookbook, "Turcaz Kitchen," which features an array of sweet and savory dough recipes inspired by Turkish cuisine. Listeners can expect to learn about Tunç's secret to perfect quiche crust, as well as her philosophy of embracing the creative process by trusting recipes while allowing room for mistakes as learning opportunities.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 21, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Tunche: From Viral Video Fame to Cookbook Author
Tunche's 2021 "Punchdown Dough" Video Launched Her Social Media Stardom
Beitul Tunche rose to fame when a video of her punching down dough went viral. Her Turcaz Kitchen videos on Instagram now boast 10.5 million followers, captivated by her dough-making skills and passion for baking.
Tunche's Love for Vintage Kitchenware
Incorporating Vintage Tools Into Videos
Tunche charms viewers by using vintage kitchenware in her cooking videos, evoking the aesthetics of a 19th-century Turkish kitchen. While celebrating the old, she balances practicality by also using modern appliances.
Sharing Her Passion With Family
Tunche enjoys cooking with vintage tools alongside her son, passing down her appreciation for traditional kitchenware.
Tunche's Dough-Making Expertise
Recipe Precision and Dough Patience
Tunche emphasizes using quality ingredients like fresh yeast and allowing dough to rest properly for great results.
Lessons From Her Mother
Tunche's mother taught her to rely on intuition rather than measurements when working with dough - a valuable skill before standardizing for her social media recipes.
Highlights From Tunche's Cookbook "Turcaz Kitchen"
85 Sweet and Savory Dough Recipes
Tunche's cookbook features Turkish-inspired treats like empanadas and chocolate babka, along with versatile brioche dough.
Her Quiche Crust Secret
Tunche shares her secret for perfect quiche crust: adding an egg to the dough mixture.
Passion for the Process
Throughout "Turcaz Kitchen," Tunche expresses her passion for cooking. She urges home cooks to trust recipes while embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, finding joy in the entire creative journey.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can create a social media challenge where participants share their own vintage-modern kitchen mashups, showcasing how they combine old-fashioned tools with contemporary technology in their cooking routines. This encourages creativity and appreciation for both the old and the new in the kitchen, much like blending vintage kitchenware with modern appliances for practicality.
- Start a "Cook with Family" weekly event in your home, inviting family members to join you in preparing a meal using a specific ingredient or tool, such as fresh yeast or a vintage utensil. This not only fosters family bonding but also helps pass down cooking traditions and skills, similar to how Tunche cooks with her son using vintage tools.
- Organize a "Dough from Scratch" day where you and your friends experiment with different dough recipes, focusing on the importance of quality ingredients and proper resting times. Share the results and what you learned from the process, encouraging each other to trust the recipes and learn from any mistakes, echoing Tunche's approach to cooking and learning.
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Tunche: Social Media Star and Cookbook Author Journey
Beitul Tunche has become a baking phenomenon on social media following the viral success of her punchy approach to dough.
Tunche's Viral Video "Punchdown Dough" in 2021 Launched Her Career As a Baking Expert on Social Media
After a video of Beitul Tunche skillfully kneading and punching bread dough went viral, she became an online sensation. Her dough-punching skills captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, sparking her career as a celebrated baking expert on social media.
Tunche Rapidly Gained Instagram Popularity, With Turcaz Kitchen Videos Reaching 10.5 Million Followers
Thanks to her engaging and passionate dough-making presentations, Tunche saw her popularity on ...
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Tunche: Social Media Star and Cookbook Author Journey
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Tunche's Passion for Vintage Kitchen Tools and Aesthetics
Tunche has garnered attention for her unique approach to cooking videos, where she combines her love for vintage kitchenware with charming aesthetics.
Tunche Loves Vintage Kitchenware For Her Videos
Viewers are enchanted by Tunche's cooking videos, as her collection of vintage kitchen tools sets the scene reminiscent of a 19th-century Turkish kitchen. The rustic look and historic feel of her cookware provide a visually engaging experience that stands out in today's media landscape.
Tunche Values Vintage Tools but Uses Modern Appliances For Practicality
While Tunche is passionate about her vintage kitchen tools, she balances her love for the old with the practicality of the new. To ensure efficiency and effectiveness in her cooking, Tunche employs modern appliances alongside her classic items. This marriage of the old and the new allows her to both appreciate the craftsmanship of the past and capitalize on contemporary conveniences.
Tunche Enjoys ...
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Tunche's Passion for Vintage Kitchen Tools and Aesthetics
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Actionables
- You can start a collection of vintage kitchenware by visiting local thrift stores, flea markets, and antique shops to find unique pieces that add a historical touch to your cooking environment. Begin with small, manageable items like an antique whisk or a cast-iron skillet, and use them in your next cooking project to infuse a sense of history into your meals.
- Create a family cooking tradition by involving your children or relatives in preparing a meal with a mix of old and new kitchen tools. Choose a simple, family-friendly recipe and assign tasks that allow for the use of both vintage utensils and modern appliances, fostering a sense of heritage while enjoying the conveniences of contemporary technology.
- Enhance your cooking videos or social media posts by incorporating vin ...
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Tunche's Tips for Successful Home Baking With Dough
Tunche Emphasizes Recipe Accuracy and Dough Patience
Tunche, also known as Betül, shares essential advice for those looking to master dough for home baking. She reiterates the need for high-quality ingredients and the importance of patience while engaging in the process.
Tunche Emphasizes Quality Ingredients, Recipe Mastery, and Dough Resting For Great Results
Betül underscores the necessity of using good flour and fresh yeast. She also insists on thoroughly understanding and following recipe instructions closely. A crucial component is allowing the dough to rest adequately to yield successful baking results. Tunche points out that these steps, coupled with patience, are the keys to perfect dough.
Tunche's Dough-Making Shaped by Mother's Hands-On Teachings
Mother Taught Tunche to Rely On Intuition Rather Than Measurements With Dough
In her formative years, Betül's mother introduced her to ...
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Tunche's Tips for Successful Home Baking With Dough
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Counterarguments
- While high-quality ingredients are important, skill and technique can also significantly affect the outcome of home baking.
- Patience is valuable, but efficient time management and multitasking can also be key in a busy home kitchen.
- Good flour and fresh yeast contribute to dough quality, but alternative ingredients can also produce satisfactory results, especially for those with dietary restrictions or budget constraints.
- Strictly following recipe instructions is helpful for beginners, but experienced bakers often successfully adapt recipes based on personal preferences or available ingredients.
- Resting the dough is generally beneficial, but some recipes and techniques may require less resting time or benefit from different handling methods.
- Relying on intuition for dough consistency is a valuable skill, but it may not be as reliable for novice bake ...
Actionables
- You can start a baking journal to track the variations in ingredients and techniques you use, noting the outcomes of each. By documenting the type of flour, brand of yeast, and resting times, you'll create a personal reference that can guide you towards consistently better baking results. For example, if you notice that a certain brand of flour yields a more elastic dough, you can make a note to use it for breads that require a chewy texture.
- Organize a "baking swap" with friends or family where each person bakes something using their intuition for measurements. This will help you develop a sense of the dough's consistency and learn from others' techniques. After the swap, discuss the different outcomes and share insights on what worked and what didn't, fostering a deeper understanding of how subtle changes affect the final product.
- Create a "patience timer" that encourages you to take breaks during t ...
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Highlights of Tunche's Cookbook, Including Her Favorite Recipes
Beitul Tunche has released her cookbook "Turcaz Kitchen," featuring 85 delectable sweet and savory dough recipes designed to bring a taste of culinary mastery into the home kitchen.
Tunche's "Turcaz Kitchen": 85 Sweet and Savory Dough Recipes
Within the pages of her cookbook, Tunche invites home cooks to explore an array of dough-based creations, celebrating flavors that span the sweet to savory spectrum. The cookbook provides a resource for those looking to refine their dough-working skills or to play with new tastes and textures.
Tunche's Favorites: Turkish-Inspired Empanadas, Chocolate Babka, Versatile Brioche Dough
Among the many recipes, Tunche highlights her favorites. She has a particular fondness for Turkish-inspired empanadas, praising their flaky crust and rich fillings, which are perfectly complemented by an assortment of salsas. Chocolate babka also makes her list of top recipes, recognized as a comfort food staple and celebrated for its indulgent layers. Not to be overlooked, Tunche lauds the versatile brioche dough, stressing the importance of proper kneading and resting to achieve its signature fluffy texture.
Tunche Shares Secret: Add Egg To Quiche Dough for Perfect Crust
One of Tunche's culinary secrets for achieving that quintessential perfect crust for quiche lies in the addition of an egg to the dough mixture. This simple step imbues the crust with a delightful richness and a sturdy yet tender texture that serves as th ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Highlights of Tunche's Cookbook, Including Her Favorite Recipes
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can host a dough-themed potluck dinner where each guest brings a dish made from a different type of dough. This encourages you to try new recipes and share the experience with friends, fostering a sense of community and learning. For example, one guest could bring a savory pie, another a sweet pastry, and someone else a batch of homemade bread, all showcasing different dough-working techniques.
- Start a "Dough Diary" to document your baking journey, noting variations you try and the outcomes you achieve. This can be a physical notebook or a digital blog. By tracking your progress, you'll be able to see how small changes, like adding an egg to your quiche dough, affect the final product. Over time, you'll create a personalized guide to your dough adventures.
- Create a monthly "Dough Challenge" where you focus on mas ...
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