VANILICE

Vanilice are definitely a typical cookie in Serbia. These cookies, which can be found at every special occasion and on every dessert table, melt in the mouth. Two pieces of shortbread-like cookies are spread with apricot jam or marmalade and lightly pressed together. The delicate cookie sandwich is then rolled in powdered sugar and served. The special thing about this cookie is that the longer it “sits”, the better it tastes. They always taste best 3-4 days after baking. I usually bake a batch on a Sunday and keep them in a cookie tin to enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients

Apriot preserve (or jam) – about 1/2 cup (150 g)

2 sticks (226 g) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup + 2 tablespoons (250 g) granulated sugar

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 large egg + 2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon (13 g) vanilla sugar (1 kesica)

1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

2.5 cups (250 g) ground walnuts

4.5 cups (600 g) flour

For Rolling & Filling

Powdered sugar

ČORBASTI PASULJ

Ingredients

• 3 cups (550 g) dry beans (white or pinto) that have been pre-soaked
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 lb (226 g) smoked sausage/smoked meat/smoked ribs/thick bacon*
• 1 small tomato or bell pepper, cut into large pieces
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Vegeta seasoning, to taste
• Roux/Zaprška
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) oil (I use sunflower)
• 3 cloves garlic, grated
• 2 tbsp (16 g) flour
• 1 tbsp( 8 g) paprika
• 1 tbsp (8 g) Vegeta seasoning

Directions

Transfer your pre-soaked beans into a medium/large soup pot. Fill the pot with water and cook beans on medium heat. Once the beans reach a boil, continue cooking for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Soak beans in water for at least 6 hours before preparing dish. See note above.

ŠOPSKA SALATA

Ingredients

• 3 medium tomatoes, sliced into wedges and then in half
• 1 medium shallot, diced
• 1 medium cucumber, chopped
• 1 sweet bell pepper (or use roasted from a jar)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) oil (I use sunflower)
• 1/2 cup (75 g) feta cheese, grated
• Salt, to taste

Directions

Serve immediately.

Combine all salad ingredients into a mixing bowl except for the feta cheese. Stir to combine and adjust for salt.

Transfer the salad to your serving dish and grate the feta cheese over the top.