Recent Posts

Desserts

Tri Leće/Balkan-Style Three Milk Cake-Tres Leches

One of our favorite desserts and one we buy often is Tres Leches, or Three-Milk Cake, a Mexican delicacy that can be found in basically any store in our area. Growing up in Chicago, I was exposed to lots of different cuisines and over the years find myself gravitating and […]

Entrees

Pilav sa Piletinom/Chicken Rice Pilaf

If you came over on any given weekend when we were growing up on the Northwest side of Chicago, you’d encounter a couple of staple things. The smell of Windex in the air as weekends were for cleaning, the sound of cartoons playing on our old-school box tv, and the […]

Bakery

Pogacice sa Cvarcima/Pork Crackling Biscuits

Balkan winter food is something else let me tell you. Between the smoked meats, pickled veggies, heaps of sarma, and all the warm fluffy homemade breads it’s unlike anything else. The weather may be crumby outside, but the nostalgic memories of childhood these signature “winter foods” evoke the warmest, most […]

Desserts

Tufahije/Stuffed Apples

A tried and true recipe, Tufahije are the perfect end to any meal. While I don’t remember eating them often growing up, they were a staple in every Balkan pastry shop I visited and they were sometimes served when we went over to someone’s house for dinner or as a […]

Entrees

Ćulbastije/Balkan-Style Meatballs in Bechamel Sauce

When I think of Balkan comfort food, I think of slow-cooked meats and stews, baked savory dishes, and hot, freshly baked bread. So when I remembered this Ćulbastije recipe last weekend, I knew I had to share it right away so you can enjoy some comfort too! This is one […]

Bakery, Balkan Living

Slavski Kolač / Slava Bread

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 Kolač, or Slava bread translated. The most important component is definitely the […]

Vegan/Posno

Posne Punjene Paprike/Vegan Stuffed Peppers

If you know anything about Balkan cuisine, then you know it can definitely be meat-heavy. In fact, some older generations often joke that it’s not a meal unless there’s meat on the table. And even though I enjoy eating meat, I don’t necessarily need to have it for every meal. […]

Bakery

Punjena Pogača/Meat & Cheese Stuffed Bread

Sometimes nothing beats an old-fashioned pogača to warm the soul. Soft, pillowy, and in this case stuffed with tasty deli meats and cheeses, this recipe is simple and delicious. Across the Balkans, but especially in Serbia, a pogača is very symbolic. Used in rituals for events like weddings, and baptisms, […]

Entrees

Leskovacka Muckalica / Muckalica

Notice the absence of an appropriate translation for this recipe. Yeah, I had no idea how to go about even attempting to translate it. It’s not a stew and it’s not a gravy. It’s not a sauce. It’s literally its own thing – a Muckalica! By the way, am I […]