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 […]
I think it’s true what they say about our tastes changing as we age. In another post, I mentioned how I never used to like mayonnaise and never ate any kind of salad with a mayo base. Much like this tuna salad. But in the last year, I’ve really been […]
Nothing says summer like lemon. Ice cold lemonade, lemon garnishes, and grilled fish with lots and lots of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Summer means bright colors, and it doesn’t get any brighter than lemon bars. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love lemon. I regularly put lemon […]
One of the most traditional breakfasts of the Balkan region is Kačamak, or cornmeal porridge. As with most dishes, different parts of the Balkans have different names for it. In some regions, it’s referred to as Pura, and in Macedonia it’s called Bakrdan. Kačamak is made with finely ground cornmeal, […]
Hot and lazy summer days call for lounging around, drinking something cold, and enjoying the shade. It also doesn’t hurt to have something sweet on hand, preferably something that doesn’t take too much time. Enter Nana’s signature berry cake. It’s more of a sponge cake dessert rather than a cake, […]
One of my favorite sweets is probably one that takes the least amount of effort to make. And that is the good old jam roll/rolat sa dzemom. Usually consisting of a plain vanilla sponge cake, spread with homemade jam, and dusted with lots of powdered sugar, this is one of […]
