Balkan Lunch Box

Balkan Bean Soup (Stew)

Dry beans soaked, added to simmered vegetables and meat, cooked over low fire, then thickened with a paprika based roux. The result is a delicious thick soup (stew) overflowing with meaty, hearty beans, processed to perfection. Dry beans soaked, added to simmered vegetables and meat, cooked over low fire, then thickened with a paprika based roux. The result is a delicious thick soup (stew) overflowing with meaty, hearty beans processed to perfection. (BOSANSKI) If you've noticed a similarity in today's bean soup with previous Read more

Filed Under: Main Courses 12 Comments

Slanci: Balkan Breadsticks

Golden breadsticks, painted with salt, with just the right amount of crunch.  Golden bread sticks, painted with salt with just the right amount of crunch. You'll never try other bread sticks again.  (BOSANSKI) The fall has descended upon Sarajevo. A nice reprieve from the scorching summer. The clock moved, the temperatures fell. The sun, bright but farther, is lighting up the sky that the wind previously cleared so well, for a moment it may trick you to go outside without a jacket. But you shouldn't because it is fall, and it will snap back at you ... Read more

Filed Under: Appetizers, Breads & Pastries, Vegetarian 2 Comments

Baked Romano Beans

Let's venture to the side not prepared often enough - the velvety, baked Romano beans. Lush, wide and flat beans, quartered and softened, topped with heavy cream-plus-garlic then baked. As striking in taste as it is in looks.  Let's venture to the side not prepared often enough - velvety, baked Romano beans. Lush, wide and flat beans quartered and softened, then baked with heavy cream-plus-garlic topping.  Striking.  (BOSANSKI) Although belonging to same family as string beans, these large, wide, green pods called Romano beans are a necessary ... Read more

Filed Under: Side Dishes, Vegetarian 4 Comments

Sarma: Stuffed Sour Cabbage

Stuffed cabbage (sarma) isn't called the queen of winter for nothing. Tender and smoked meats mixed with delicate rice, enriched with few simple seasonings, then lovingly wrapped in fermented cabbage leaves. Cooked on low heat for a few hours until aromas and flavors embrace for an outcome nothing short of sensational. (BOSANSKI) I've shared this recipe with Balkanvibe before, and I though it was time to share it with you as well. If you've read it there, ... Read more

Filed Under: Main Courses 3 Comments

Ground Beef Phyllo Pie

Ground beef phyllo pie. Ground beef (or veal) layered in phyllo sheets softened with butter, then baked until golden. Much pie. Not much fuss.  Ground beef phyllo pie. Ground beef (or veal) layered in phyllo sheets softened with butter, then baked until golden. Much pie. Not much fuss.  (BOSANSKI) Ever since I learned to make pie rounds with store phyllo, that's usually what I do when I'm making a quick one. Sometimes I line them up like ... Read more

Filed Under: Main Courses, Side Dishes 2 Comments