The Macedonian version of a chopped salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers and white [feta] cheese.

The entire Balkan Peninsula claims Shopska as their salad: Macedonians claim it to be theirs, Serbs say, nope, it’s ours… Bulgarians also say it’s all theirs. Greeks, too, though they decided to call it “Greek Salad” and added a few olives to it.

Not just Shopska, though. We fight about the ownership of Ajvar, land, Baklava, land, Kebapi, Musaka, and land.

But I have to add that, if we leave politics aside, we are the best of friends. Not kidding. We love one another like brothers and sisters. 

About that Shopska Salad…

You should know that this whole chopped mess is the epitome of everything I love to eat, starting with all things cheese and tomato juices. When making this salad, make sure that your tomatoes are juicy because that is what makes this salad so amazing. We don’t add fancy salad dressings. It’s oil and vinegar. Full stop. BUT you don’t need anything else because all the flavors blend so well together, and with the help of the tomato juice and creamy feta, oh mah gaaaaahhhh! It’s like a flavor explosion!

Also, and if you wanna eat it the authentic way, it’s one bowl, several forks, and a big feast of grilled meat on the side. That’s how you eat this salad. All the forks in one salad bowl. There’s no room for “ewwwww” around here. Gotta be real, gotta be genuine.

ENJOY!

Albanian Cuisine· Balkan Dishes· Bulgarian Cuisine· cuisine· Macedonian Cuisine· Serbian Cuisine

Shopska Salad

The Macedonian version of a chopped salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers and white [feta] cheese.

The entire Balkan Peninsula claims Shopska as their salad: Macedonians claim it to be theirs, Serbs say, nope, it’s ours… Bulgarians also say it’s all theirs. Greeks, too, though they decided to call it “Greek Salad” and added a few olives to it.

Not just Shopska, though. We fight about the ownership of Ajvar, land, Baklava, land, Kebapi, Musaka, and land.

But I have to add that, if we leave politics aside, we are the best of friends. Not kidding. We love one another like brothers and sisters. 

About that Shopska Salad…

You should know that this whole chopped mess is the epitome of everything I love to eat, starting with all things cheese and tomato juices. When making this salad, make sure that your tomatoes are juicy because that is what makes this salad so amazing. We don’t add fancy salad dressings. It’s oil and vinegar. Full stop. BUT you don’t need anything else because all the flavors blend so well together, and with the help of the tomato juice and creamy feta, oh mah gaaaaahhhh! It’s like a flavor explosion!

Also, and if you wanna eat it the authentic way, it’s one bowl, several forks, and a big feast of grilled meat on the side. That’s how you eat this salad. All the forks in one salad bowl. There’s no room for “ewwwww” around here. Gotta be real, gotta be genuine.

ENJOY!

Vanilici, literally meaning mini vanilla cookies, are a Macedonian favourite. These cookies are rich, buttery and flaky that have a wonderful vanilla essence. Vanilici are typically sandwiched between a homemade fruit jam and garnished with a generous sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar.

Albanian Cuisine· Balkan Dishes· Bulgarian Cuisine· cuisine· Macedonian Cuisine· Serbian Cuisine

Vanilici

Vanilici, literally meaning mini vanilla cookies, are a Macedonian favourite. These cookies are rich, buttery and flaky that have a wonderful vanilla essence. Vanilici are typically sandwiched between a homemade fruit jam and garnished with a generous sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar.

Pindjur, is another popular and delectable relish like spread. This spread is more so popular during the warmer months of the year. Pindjur consists of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and olive oil. Typically served with fresh feta cheese, bread and marinated olives.

Balkan Dishes· Bulgarian Cuisine· cuisine· Macedonian Cuisine

Pindjur

Pindjur, is another popular and delectable relish like spread. This spread is more so popular during the warmer months of the year. Pindjur consists of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and olive oil. Typically served with fresh feta cheese, bread and marinated olives.

This one’s for all you meat lovers out there. Kebapi, similar to what we all know and love as sausages, are grilled minced meat composed into the shape of a sausage. Onions, vegeta (which is a very popular mixture of Macedonian herbs) and paprika are what give this dish its savoury flavour. Kebapi are usually served with freshly baked flatbread and kajmak, which is similar to sour cream (maybe even tastier?)

Albanian Cuisine· Balkan Dishes· Bulgarian Cuisine· cuisine· Macedonian Cuisine· Serbian Cuisine

Kebapi

This one’s for all you meat lovers out there. Kebapi, similar to what we all know and love as sausages, are grilled minced meat composed into the shape of a sausage. Onions, vegeta (which is a very popular mixture of Macedonian herbs) and paprika are what give this dish its savoury flavour. Kebapi are usually served with freshly baked flatbread and kajmak, which is similar to sour cream (maybe even tastier?)

The unmistakable taste of Bulgarian food

Bulgarian cuisine is one of its kind. Gourmets all over the world have been attracted for ages by the culinary temptations that Bulgaria offers. The traditional Bulgarian cuisine is a mixture of classic Bulgarian meals, intertwined with heritage from Slavonic, Greek, Turkish, and lately, other central and western European cuisines.

Cooking traditions in Bulgaria are strong and are kept alive for many years by passing recipes from grandparents to parents to children to grandchildren. Taste of Bulgarian Cuisine has captured the best of all the Bulgarian recipes so you can enjoy them on your own.

Why does the Bulgarian cuisine taste so good? Bulgarian food is organic food. The dishes are prepared using natural products which to a great extend brings the unique taste of the Bulgarian meals. There are also many distinctive features of the Bulgarian cooking that contribute to the exception taste. When preparing meals with meat for example, Bulgarians start with cooking of the meat and gradually add the rest of the ingredients. In this way they save time and effort as the entire meal is prepared using only one pot or saucepan. The combination of milk or yoghurt with other products is also very typical for the Bulgarian national cuisine. It enriches the technology of food preparation and makes the dishes healthier. Another distinctive feature is the thermal processing of the products - they are simmered slowly on low heat which enables their nutritive qualities to be retained and, again, make the food taste much better.

Bulgarian Cuisine· cuisine

Taste of Bulgarian Cuisine

The unmistakable taste of Bulgarian food

Bulgarian cuisine is one of its kind. Gourmets all over the world have been attracted for ages by the culinary temptations that Bulgaria offers. The traditional Bulgarian cuisine is a mixture of classic Bulgarian meals, intertwined with heritage from Slavonic, Greek, Turkish, and lately, other central and western European cuisines.

Cooking traditions in Bulgaria are strong and are kept alive for many years by passing recipes from grandparents to parents to children to grandchildren. Taste of Bulgarian Cuisine has captured the best of all the Bulgarian recipes so you can enjoy them on your own.

Why does the Bulgarian cuisine taste so good? Bulgarian food is organic food. The dishes are prepared using natural products which to a great extend brings the unique taste of the Bulgarian meals. There are also many distinctive features of the Bulgarian cooking that contribute to the exception taste. When preparing meals with meat for example, Bulgarians start with cooking of the meat and gradually add the rest of the ingredients. In this way they save time and effort as the entire meal is prepared using only one pot or saucepan. The combination of milk or yoghurt with other products is also very typical for the Bulgarian national cuisine. It enriches the technology of food preparation and makes the dishes healthier. Another distinctive feature is the thermal processing of the products - they are simmered slowly on low heat which enables their nutritive qualities to be retained and, again, make the food taste much better.