Many of you are no doubt intending to start the New Year with good intentions. After indulging in one too many Christmas treats over the festive period, you probably don’t need further temptation. But what difference is one more feast going to make?
Bulgaria is both a summer holiday hotspot and a favourite for winter sports enthusiasts on a budget. What you may not know is that Bulgaria is also a foodie’s paradise.
The cuisine features predominantly Turkish and Eastern Europe influences. You may even pick up a hint of the orient in some dishes. Bulgarian cuisine is therefore pretty diverse with each region proudly offering its own signature dish of culinary magic. There are a grand total of 28 regions in Bulgaria and whilst we could happily give you a rundown of each one’s top traditional treat, here at Economy Car Hire, we have managed to narrow it down to our favourite 5!
Food In The Mountains
Livestock farming in the lower mountain ranges is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. These regions are therefore the main producers of one of Bulgaria’s culinary trademarks- cheese!
One such cheese you will no doubt come across repeatedly is Sirene. This is essentially the Bulgarian version of the Greek Feta. A touch less salty it features in a wide range of dishes such as the pastry based Banitsa and Shopska salad.
1. Banitsa made with Sirene Cheese!
Banitsa can be purchased in bakeries throughout the country and is a quintessential part of the Bulgarian Breakfast. Thin crispy filo pastry is layered with Sirene cheese. A range of other fillings can also be added such as onions, spinach and mushroom. Or for those with a sweet tooth, apples and walnuts are equally popular.
Food in the Plains
The best of Bulgaria’s fruit and vegetables are grown in the plains. The rich fertile land grows some of the best produce in Europe and certainly among the cheapest. A wide range of vegetables are therefore used generously in traditional recipes from this region. Salads and stews are particularly popular.
2. Shopska Salad
Shopska salad is internationally renowned and usually served as a starter or appetiser at the beginning of a meal. A combo of chopped fresh tomatoes, cucumber, red onions and peppers the salad is best served fresh and originates in the plains. Topped with grated Sirene that melts in your mouth, the salads colours- red, white and green coincidentally match the colours of the Bulgarian flag!
3. Kavarma Stew
Another traditional dish that originates from this region is Kavarma. A hearty meat stew made with spiced vegetables, Kavarma is a popular comfort food in the winter months. Whilst there are a number of different variations of this dish the main ingredients include diced chicken, pork or veal, a generous serving of beans and seasonal vegetables. Everything is baked for a good few hours in a large clay dish called a gyuveche, until the meat is cooked to melting point. For extra comfort points the stew is served with warm homemade crusty bread.
Food at the Coast
4. Ribena Chorba
Another popular stew based dish is Ribena Chorba; this literally translates to Fisherman’s Soup. This is a warm red soup, heavily spiced with paprika. A fish broth is prepared by boiling fish trimmings seasoned with salt, red onions, green peppers and tomatoes for a couple of hours. When ready, the broth is strained and hot ground paprika is added. Fresh fish fillets are then poached in the soup. Most traditional recipes use carp; however a variety of fish can be used.
5. Kebapche
Besides salads, soups and stews you’ll also come across a number of different grilled meat dishes. The most well-known of these is Kebapche. This is a popular side dish most often served as an afternoon snack alongside a cold beer on a warm sunny day. Kebapche are prepared using mincemeat. It is rolled to form an elongated sausage shape which is then grilled. Black pepper and cumin are added to the meat for warm spicy taste. The grilled sausages are then served in three alongside a yoghurt and dill dip and fries.
Recipes for all these dishes can easily be found online, and they are relatively guilt free so why not start your New Year’s resolution with a Bulgarian Buffet!
Alternatively, if this has stirred up your appetite but you aren’t quite satisfied, why not take a look out our other foodie blogs? We’ve got a whole host of delicious dishes from around the world to tempt you.
