balkan recipe

The proja is a traditional flatbread from the Balkan region that is made from cornmeal. It is called proha in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Proja

cornmeal

all-purpose flour

sparkling water

vegetable oil

eggs (beaten)

salt

baking powder

Butter (or margarine, for the mold)

Stand mixer

Preheat the oven to 480 F (250 C).

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix all the ingredients with the flat beater and knead until obtaining a semi-liquid, homogeneous, lump-free dough.

Pour the mixture into a 10-inch (24 cm) square baking dish previously greased with butter or margarine.

Bake for 20 minutes at 480 F (250 C). Then, lower the oven temperature to 300 F (150 C), and bake for 10 additional  minutes.

After 30 minutes of baking, insert a toothpick into the proja. If it is dry, it is fully baked. If not, continue baking for 5 minutes.

Cut the proja into 3-inch (8 cm) squares to serve.

Ajvar is an easy to make and deliciously tangy eggplant and red bell pepper spread that is popular throughout the Balkans.

Ajvar

lb red peppers

eggplant

vinegar

garlic

Poke a few holes in the eggplants, and roast them on a grill (ideally) or in the oven until soft and charred, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Repeat the same operation with the peppers.

Place the eggplants and the peppers in separate bowls, covered with plastic wrap. Let cool for at least 1 hour.

Remove all the charred peel and seeds from the peppers and wash them well.

Remove the peel of the eggplants with a knife.

Place the eggplant, pepper, garlic cloves into a food processor (or a food mill) and pulse a few times until they are finely chopped.

Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. Add salt and vinegar.

Cook over low to medium heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally so the ajvar doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

The end result can be canned, or stored in the fridge and consumed within a week.

Kataifi is a very popular dessert in the Middle East, Turkey and Greece, and is made from shredded phyllo dough (angel hair), and a mixture of nuts, butter, and coarsely chopped pistachios. After cooking, the kataifi is generously soaked in a cinnamon-flavored sugar syrup.

Kataifi

fresh kataifi angel hair

walnut kernels

pistachios ((preferably Aegina pistachios))

cinnamon

clove

goat butter

walnuts

goat

water

caster sugar

lemon juice

orange (,

Baking dish

Pour the sugar, water, cinnamon stick, and orange zest into a saucepan.

Place the pan on a low heat and stir until the sugar has melted.

As soon as it comes to the boil, stop stirring so that the sugar does not crystallize.

Boil for 5 minutes and finally add the lemon juice. Let cool.

Syrup

Butter a baking dish.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (170°C).

Place the kataifi in small quantities in a bowl and untangle them.

Chop the nuts and pistachios and sprinkle them with cinnamon. Stir.

Divide the kataif (angel hair) into 12 equal parts and cover them with a damp cloth so that they do not dry out.

Take a portion of kataif, and lay it out on a work surface in an elongated rectangular shape.

Spread 1 tablespoon of the pistachio filling on top and wrap it into a roll shape.

Place it in the buttered baking dish and repeat the operation until all the angel hair and stuffing are used up.

Place them all in the baking dish, spacing them about ¼ inch (½ cm) apart.

Slowly spoon the melted butter over them, making sure to pour the butter into the gap between each kataifi.

Bake on the lower rack of the oven, for about an hour, until golden brown.

Take the kataifi out of the oven.

Strain the cooled syrup and immediately pour it over, slowly, using a ladle.

Sprinkle with reserved nuts and pistachios.

Let cool completely in the pan for at least 8 hours in a cool place before eating.

Top 3 balkan recipe recipes from across the web

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Top Tags

Proja

Ajvar

Kataifi

Top 3 balkan recipe recipes from across the web

The most viewed balkan recipe recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Proja

Ajvar

Kataifi

The most viewed balkan recipe recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine