Kumpir: A Hot Potato From Istanbul

Thanks to our editorial intern Laila, we've been pretty solidly educated on the glories of the various kinds of Middle Eastern street food she grew up with. First she brought Turkey's wet burger to our attention, a new kind of French dip experience totally worth the 12-hour flight. Then we learned about koshary, the most delicious way to feed the most people with the least effort, via Egypt's Rachael Ray. Now with knowledge of kumpir — a specialty in Ortaköy, Istanbul — I'll attempt to reinvent the baked potato. Or at least use up a lot of leftovers all at once.

Kumpir is just that: a baked potato with a TON of stuff in it. Not boring stuff like England's jacket potato. You'd think they could move past butter and cheese by this point. No dice. So taking guidelines out of Turkey's book, which lists chopped bell peppers, onions, scallions, green and black olives, corn, pickles, lentils, mushrooms, cabbage, the holy trinity of condiments and basically anything else in the world as appropriate toppings, here are a few Food Republic recipes that could definitely make a reappearance in a potato:

• Charred Broccolini with Garlic-Caper Sauce
• Deviled Mushrooms
• Spicy Eggplant, Tomato and Garlic Salad

(are you feeling my Meatless Monday vibes yet?)

• Sweet and Sour Chinese Cabbage
• Fennel Gratin

(I can do this all day)

• Swiss Chard with Shiitake Butter
• Texas Caviar
• Zucchini Fries

And of course, cover it in cheese if you must, for it is in fact, still a potato. And that's a language we all speak.

More potatoes for lunch on Food Republic:

• Latke Season: Sour Cream, Apple Sauce or 'Other?'
• When Sausage Met Potato: 5 Ways With Bangers and Mash
• Japchae: Satisfying Sweet Potato Noodles