Simple Bulgarian Banitsa Recipe (Bulgarian Cheese Pie) is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed by Bulgarians for centuries. This delicious and easy-to-make dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack. The key ingredients of the recipe are phyllo dough, eggs, feta cheese, yogurt, and butter.
One of the most popular dishes in Bulgarian cuisine is Banitsa, a savory pie made with filo pastry and a variety of fillings. The dish remains a staple on the menu for many Bulgarians today.
What is Simple Bulgarian Banitsa?
Banitsa is a traditional Bulgarian pastry dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a savory and comforting cheese pie that is often served on special occasions, such as holidays and family gatherings. Made with layers of phyllo dough and filled with feta cheese, eggs, and yogurt, this dish is easy to make and sure to please any crowd.
While banitsa can be found in bakeries across Bulgaria, nothing beats a homemade version. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can recreate this classic recipe in your own kitchen.
On certain occasions, especially on New Year’s Eve, it is customary to place lucky charms inside pastries. These charms can be symbolic objects like a small piece of dogwood branch with a bud, which represents health or longevity, or coins.
What are the Bulgarian Banitsa Recipe Origins?
Bulgarian Banitsa is a popular pastry dish that has been a staple in Bulgarian cuisine for centuries. It is made by layering phyllo dough with cheese, yogurt or spinach. Banitsa is commonly served as a breakfast food or as an appetizer, and it can be found in bakeries and restaurants throughout the country. But where did this delicious recipe originate? Many believe it has roots in the Ottoman Empire, while others claim it dates back even further to ancient times.
The origins of banitsa are unclear, but there are several theories about how this delicious pastry came to be so popular in Bulgaria. Some believe that banitsa was introduced to Bulgaria during the Ottoman period when Turkey ruled over the country. Others think that it may have originated from ancient Greek cuisine and was brought to Bulgaria by Byzantine traders.
If you’re looking to explore Bulgarian cuisine, then Banitsa is an excellent place to start. The dish can be made with different types of fillings, but one of the most common is cheese. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a simple Bulgarian Banitsa recipe using just a few basic ingredients.
How to Make Simple Bulgarian Banitsa Recipe (Bulgarian Cheese Pie)?
Looking for a new twist on breakfast? Try this Bulgarian Cheese Pie recipe that will transport your taste buds to Eastern Europe. Layers of flaky filo pastry are filled with creamy feta cheese and eggs, creating a savory dish that’s perfect for any meal of the day. Don’t miss out on the chance to try this authentic recipe and bring some international flavor to your table! Give it a try today and let us know how you like it in the comments below.
The first step in making this simple Bulgarian banitsa recipe is to prepare the filling by mixing crumbled feta cheese with beaten eggs and yogurt. Then layer sheets of phyllo dough on top of each other until you have several layers. Add the filling mixture to the center of the dough and fold up the edges to create a pie shape. Finally, brush melted butter on top before baking in an oven for 30-40 minutes.
For breakfast, Banitsa is typically accompanied by plain yogurt, ayran, or boza and can be consumed either hot or cold. Spinach-filled banitsa (spanachnik), sweet milk-filled banitsa (mlechna banitsa), and pumpkin-filled banitsa (tikvenik) are among the many variations available.
Simple Bulgarian Banitsa Recipe (Bulgarian Cheese Pie)
Equipment
- 1 Baking dish
Ingredients
- 350 g Bulgarian white cheese (any feta or sirene)
- 5 eggs
- 1½ cup Bulgarian plain yogurt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 pack of Phyllo dough sheets
Instructions
- First, prepare the baking dish by grease with sunflower oil or melted butter.
- Open the Phyllo sheets and use as per the package directions.
- In a large bowl prepare a mixture of the eggs, white cheese, Bulgarian plain yogurt, and baking soda. You can use a fork to break apart the feta.
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Small amounts of mixture filling and of sunflower oil or melted butter are layered between individual sheets. When you place half of the sheets in the baking dish a large portion of the filling mixture is spread over the sheet. The remaining sheets and filling are then layered on top in a similar way.
- When you place the last sheet of the Banitsa, lightly brush the top with melted butter.
- The pastry is then placed in the oven and baked for 45-50 minutes until reaches a golden brown color on top.
- Let it cool slice and serve with ayran or boza.
Banitsa remains a beloved dish in Bulgarian cuisine and is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack. Whether you are a fan of savory or sweet pastries, trying out this iconic Bulgarian dish is definitely worth it! So why not give this delicious recipe a go and experience the taste of Bulgaria for yourself?
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Did you make this simple Bulgarian banitsa recipe?
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