Lifestyle
If you’re familiar with Serbian culture, then you’ll know the importance of Slava. If you’re unfamiliar, each family celebrates a Patron Saint and on that day an integral part of the ritual is the cutting of the Slavski KolaÄ, or Slava bread translated. The most important component is definitely the […]
If you’re Orthodox Christian and grew up in a country where the majority of the Christian population celebrated Christmas in December, then you’ve probably had to explain why you celebrate Christmas in January AT LEAST a few times. Do you have a go-to explanation? I do. And while it’s second […]
Every Slavski KolaÄ is beautiful but when bakers take time to create carefully crafted decorations it’s truly something special. I’ve “helped” both my mother and grandmother make decorations for our KolaÄ many times using leftover bread dough. However, they just never turned out as wonderful as photos I’ve seen online […]
One of my favorite seasons is here! Spring represents new beginnings, warmer weather, and beautiful flowers. And of course with Spring comes one of my favorite holidays as well: Easter! I may be an adult but I get excited about Easter egg dyeing as much as any kid. On Easter, […]
There’s nothing quite like the sweet smell of roasting peppers. The sweet smell of the pepper cooking mixed with the smoky smell of charring is truly the most satisfying, comforting, smell in the world. It’s one of my absolute favorite smells and every time I roast peppers, I close my […]
When is the last time you thoroughly cleaned your wooden spoons? No, I mean REALLY cleaned them. I use my wooden spoons daily and all those sarma, paprikas, and pasulj flavors soak into the wood. I avoid leaving wooden spoons in the pot while the food cooks for this reason, […]
When the first hint of spring rolls around I start to look for Hyacinths in the store. I dig around the display looking for one that is at least a week away from blooming. I never buy the fully bloomed ones because after they bloom you literally have only a […]
About a year ago, a friend was telling me how she picked up some feta cheese at the store and the lid of the container was not closed properly. So on her way home, the container opened and all the liquid spilled out making a huge mess in the car. […]
Slatko i voda, or sweet preserves and water. If you’ve ever visited a Balkan home during a special occasion, holiday, or for the first time, you’ve probably been approached with a tray lined with a dish of what looks like a jam or fruit preserve, glasses of mineral or tap […]
What does home smell like to you? Is it the smell of a homemade meal? Or maybe it’s the smell of fabric softener floating on a warm breeze that makes you close your eyes and inhale deeply. Is it the smell of cigarette smoke that curls and dances from your […]