Ahh, good old Sutlijaš (or Sutlija in some parts). The simple, sweet rice pudding Balkan kids grew up eating over and over again when there maybe weren’t many store-bought sweets around. I always loved this dessert and usually ate it every time my mom made Sarma or Punjene Paprike. Actually, […]
I’ll start off by saying that people either love or hate this dish. I grew up eating it, and don’t mind it if it’s made correctly. By correctly, I mean with fresh flavorful meat and adequate spices. Otherwise, the cabbage flavor becomes overwhelming and not pleasant. This is a very […]
One of the simplest desserts to make has to be panna cotta. It only requires a handful of ingredients and a few hours in the fridge, so it’s perfect for hot summer days. Just enough sweetness to satisfy that sweet tooth without slaving in the kitchen. It’s something different to […]
If I could, I would eat macaroni & cheese for every meal. I think this has something to do with not eating it as much when I was a child. Growing up in a Balkan household, I didn’t get to experience the joy of mac & cheese until I was […]
Homemade pizza is something special. It’s made by hands that care, that put effort in ingredient selection, and most often is made by special people in our lives. Sure we all have our favorite pizzerias, but when it comes down to judging pizza, it’s all in the crust. Homemade pizza […]
Summertime means cooking on the grill, plenty of side dishes, and ice-cold drinks, all enjoyed in the shade somewhere. One of my favorite side dishes for barbeques is twice-baked potatoes. I make these all year round, but they are in heavy rotation around here during the summer months. They are […]
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, […]
Popara is my childhood in a bowl. In fact, if you ask most people who grew up either in the Balkans or in a Balkan household, they will remember popara. This recipe was born out of the necessity to feed the whole family quickly, but also to use up day-old […]
If you’ve never had Pileća Bela Čorba, or White Chicken Stew, you’ve been missing out. Considered one of the fancier stews of Balkan cuisine, Bela Čorba is served on holidays and special occasions but not exclusively. When I need a change of pace, I add it to my meal rotation. […]
Palačinke (pal-ah-cheen-keh) or Balkan style crepes are one of the most recognizable desserts in the Balkans. With both sweet and savory varieties, the possibilities are endless. A little thicker than a traditional French-style crepe but thinner than an American style pancake, this delicious treat is enjoyed by people of all […]
