Balkans (16)
This traditional Serbian Red Pepper spread is made by blending sweet ajvarski red peppers with oil. Since ajvarski peppers may not be readily available in your area, they can be replaced with red bell peppers (pimentos). Ajvar (pronounced as \AY·var\) can be spread on a slice of bread, served as a dipping sauce on a charcuterie board, or used as the perfect condiment for Ćevap Lepinje, filled with freshly grilled Ćevapi. Regional differences to this recipe throughout the Balkans can include the addition of vinegar, tomatoes, aubergine (eggplant), hot peppers, and other flavor variations. This is my version of Ajvar Pepper Spread. For best results, refrigerate the finished spread overnight so that the flavors can meld together and mature.
Ćevap Lepinje (pronounced \'Che·vap Lay·'pin·yay\) are "Balkan Kebab Buns". A quick and easy bread that can be eaten alone or with any meat dish. Serve Ćevap Lepinje with burgers, pulled pork, shredded chicken, or the traditional Ćevapi (kebab meat). For best results, preheat your oven to 525° F. However, if your oven cannot be heated to 525°, you can adjust the oven temperature to 500° F and add 2 additional minutes of cooking time.
Turkish Flatbread is a flavorful pita. It can be filled with hummus, fresh tomatoes and feta cheese, or shawarma.
Ekmek, meaning "bread" in Turkish, is a traditional Turkish Flatbread. Ekmek is typically made into round flat loaves and eaten as an accompaniment to any meal.
Freezer Stew is a ready-made meal that can be stored in the freezer. Simply mix the Dry Ingredients and place them in a freezer-safe bag, then freeze up to 6 months. When it comes time to prepare the stew, simple add the contents of the freezer bag into your Instant Pot, add a can of tomatoes and a quart of stock or broth, then cook for about 25 minutes. When you open the Instant Pot, the stew is ready to eat. This freezer stew can be served alone, with a side of chips, or a with a grilled cheese sandwich. This freezer stew integrates Paprikash Chicken for an easy, flavorful meal.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Pljeskavica (pronounced \Ple·YES·ka·vitz·a\) is a Croatian word that means "burger". While these blended meat burgers are perfect for the BBQ, they can also be grilled on the stovetop or even baked in the oven. The ideal Pljeskavica meat blend is about 70% Beef and 30% Pork. Add garlic, salt and pepper, then some peppers, and paprika. After that, grill to perfection. You should limit the amount of time spent mixing the ingredients together so that you don't break down the fat cells and end up with a sticky meat mixture. This traditional Balkan patty is frequently used to make Ćevapi (kabob) and eaten with Ćevap Lepinje.
Gyro (pronounced \yee·ro\) is a traditional Mediterranean dish made with a Beef/Lamb mixture. Due to the high cost of lamb, pork can be used as a good substitute. The meat is traditionally put on a large vertical rotisserie and cooked over a flame. This recipe provides a simple process to re-create tasty Gyro meat without the expensive and time consuming equipment. For a Keto version of this recipe, serve without Bread.
This is a simple recipe that is easy to prepare but will impress everyone with a great flavor.
Pair this dish with a nice salad.
This Turkish Pita Bread is a simple recipe, with a "time to table" of only a couple of hours. Pita is a great addition to Shawarma, just make sure that you have plenty of Tzatziki.
Burek (pronounced \'boo·ɾec\) is a traditional meal, where an unleavened dough, similar to phyllo, is filled with meat, potatoes, spinach, cheese, or other fillings. Burek is common throughout the region previously controlled by the Ottoman empire. In the Baltics, Burek is rolled into a large spiral pastry and baked. It is often cut into pie wedge sections for serving. A Bosnian cheese-filled Burek is called "Sirnica" (pronounced \'seer'·nitz·a/), meaning "cheesecake" or "cheese pie". Sirnica is filled with a Bosnian soft cheese, "Sitnog sira", which is similar to cottage cheese. I like the nice "soft, tangy" flavor profile caused by using a mixture of cottage cheese, feta cheese, and neufchatel cheese.
Soutzoukakia (pronounced \soot·zoo·'KA·key·ah\) are Greek meatballs, that are traditionally oven-baked in a tomato sauce. Soutzoukakia is similar to a Turkish dish called Kofte. This recipe is prepared on the stovetop and includes a loosely defined Arabic spice mix called Ras El Hanout. If you do not have this mix on hand, you can make your own mix. Serve with Tzatziki over a bed of basmati rice or with roasted potatoes. Poblano or jalapeno peppers will add heat to the dish. For a Keto version of this recipe, serve with a medley of Keto-friendly roasted vegetables.
Menemen (Turkish Eggs) is made with tomatoes and scrambled eggs. The pan roasted tomatoes from the bottom of the pan provide a beautiful presentation and the smokey flavor of the Aleppo peppers, paired with the Jalapeño pepper, provides the perfect amount of heat. This quick and easy dish provides 2 servings. To make more servings, just wipe out the inside of the pan with a paper towel and start again.
This soft and fluffy "Milk Bread" is a wonderful compliment to Shawarma or with a bowl of Chili. The finished bread has a soft, spongey texture that holds its shape and bounces back when squeezed.
Turkish Pide is a boat-shaped Turkish bread that can be served plain or stuffed with meat, vegetables, cheese, and/or herbs. Pide is a versatile dish that can be a snack, an appetizer, or a main course.
Tzatziki (pronounced \zat·ziki\) is a traditional Greek Yogurt Sauce. Cacik (pronounced \jah·'jik\) is the same sauce, but from Turkey. Tzatziki can be used with meat dishes or as a dip for Crudites.
