Ladies’ Thighs

There’s no mistaking the origin of this one. A spasm of humour, passion or debauchery took over the Ottoman Palace kitchens, resulting in colourful names for certain dishes. In contrast to the meaty ladies’ thighs, images of ladies’ navels (kadın göbeği), young girls’ breasts (kız memesi) and sweetheart’s lips (dilber dudağı) were also conjured up in specific syrupy desserts.