Mersin Tantuni Product Description and Distinctive Features: Mersin Tantuni is a distinctive meat specialty native to the Mersin area. What sets Mersin Tantuni apart is the use of rich, fatty beef rib meat and cottonseed oil in its preparation, combined with the expert cooking technique outlined below. Traditionally, it is served with lemon and/or sour orange juice to dress the accompanying salad, and commonly enjoyed alongside beverages such as ayran (a yogurt-based drink) or şalgam (fermented turnip juice). Production Process:Key ingredients for Mersin Tantuni include beef rib meat, cottonseed oil, red pepper flakes, sumac, salt, tomatoes, onions, parsley, and other fresh greens. The tantuni tray used is specially designed with a hollow center. For preparation, 5 kilograms of fatty beef rib meat are carefully trimmed to remove veins, nerves, and membranes, then cut into small cubes. The meat is boiled in a pot with 1.5 cups of water for about 20 minutes at an average temperature of 80°C. After boiling, the cooked meat is evenly spread on the tantuni tray. Next, 1 liter of cottonseed oil, 300 grams of premium red pepper flakes, 50 grams of sumac, and 100 grams of salt are added to the meat on the tray. The mixture is stirred continuously over the tray's constant flame until the meat turns a rich brown color. Once cooked, the meat is pushed to one side of the tray, marking the tantuni as ready. To avoid burning the tray and to keep the meat warm using the steam, water is periodically sprinkled onto the tray during cooking. The unique quality of cottonseed oil is that, unlike many other oils, it does not emit a bitter or burnt smell when heated. Moreover, cottonseed oil does not solidify or freeze within Mersin Tantuni. Serving the Dish: Mersin Tantuni is traditionally prepared and presented on plates, served inside somun bread or flatbread known as lavash. Freshly squeezed lemon and/or sour orange juice are offered as dressings for the salad components included in the dish. Additionally, optional side servings include pickles and fresh greens, with beverages such as ayran or şalgam juice commonly accompanying the meal. Packaged Serving: When requested for takeaway or delivery, Mersin Tantuni is packaged following strict hygiene standards and using food-safe materials. It may be packed in paper, plastic, styrofoam, or foil containers. During preparation, a portion of the meat (minimum 60 grams) is taken from the center of the tantuni tray. Then, depending on preference, lavash, flatbread, or somun bread is warmed and greased by pressing it onto the meat in the tray's hollow section. The warmed bread is filled with at least 60 grams of meat, topped with a fresh salad made of onions, parsley, tomatoes, and sumac, then wrapped (in the case of lavash) or folded ready for serving in other bread types.