I’ve mentioned lutenka as an accompaniment in many recipes (chevapi, kjofte, maznik, pitulici) so I thought it was fitting to share my baba’s (grandmother) recipe.

There are oodles of mass produced options available in select delis, as lutenka, or lutenica as it is also referred to is popular across the Balkans, but nothing beats this homemade version.

Traditionally made with only red banana chillies, I had a heap of green ones lying around that I decided to put to good use and it tasted just as good. If you don’t have banana chillies, you can always use capsicums.

Continue reading Rustic Tomato and Chilli Spread (Lutenka)

Thanks to the popularity of 5 Minute Tiramisu, here’s another super-quick 5 minute recipe.

Seeing I still have an abundance of fresh figs from my parents fruitful fig tree, I thought I’d share one of my favourite ways to enjoy this ancient fruit.

Some prefer figs raw, but in my opinion the best way to enjoy them is cooked, as it only takes a few minutes for the flesh to collapse and caramelise into heavenly goodness.

Although this salad looks fancy, you can almost prepare it with your eyes closed. It’s simply a matter of assembly, however the secret to it tasting amazing is using top quality extra virgin olive oil, balsamic and goats cheese. Adding toasted walnuts/pine nuts is optional and takes a few extra minutes, but if you’re out to impress it’s well worth it!

Continue reading 5 Minute Fancy Fig Salad

It’s likely this recipe is hundreds, even thousands of years old as there is nothing complicated about the ingredients. I guess that’s what I love most about traditional recipes, basic kitchen staples are magically transformed into the most exotic meals.

Ashe Mast originates from the Middle East, it translates as “Thick Yoghurt Soup” and is widely popular throughout Iran. Traditionally, Ashe Mast is served as an entree, although I think it makes a delightful main.
Curious about how yoghurt and rice would work in soup, I was pleasantly surprised. The best way I can describe this stew is as a creamy risotto with a tangy Middle Eastern feel. And like any good stew the flavour seems to improve overnight.

As a family recipe there are many variations. The version I made included all three herbs, coriander, dill and mint, plus leek. However it can be made with just dill and no leek, you can even leave out the meat for a vegetarian soup. If you’re not a fan of coriander you could try replacing with parsley, I think it’d still taste delicious.

This soup transported me to the Middle East, it’s like nothing I have ever tried before, but there was something familiar and comforting about it, I loved it!

Continue reading Persian Yoghurt Soup (Ashe Mast)

With summer on the way out, the supply of garden chillies is slowly dwindling. A really quick and yummy way to enjoy them is this no fuss vegetarian recipe of baked chillies stuffed with feta.

The delightful combination oozy egg, feta and cottage cheese makes for a tasty light lunch or appetiser.

Continue reading Baked Chillies Stuffed with Feta (Polneti Piperki so Sirenje)

You may have noticed changes taking place at Village Feast. Thanks to feedback received this year, some very exciting improvements are being made to the Village Feast home page. A recipe star rating has been included so that you can rate your favourite recipes.

Additionally, the ‘Share a Recipe’ function will make it even easier for you to record your family recipes. The changes are still in progress and there are still a couple of issues which should be ironed out in the coming weeks

Thanks again for your ongoing support and patience.

Continue reading Times are a changin’

The secret to beautiful tasting eggplant is two-part. Firstly, select firm, medium sized fruit with unblemished skin, rather than extra large ones with wrinkly skin. Secondly, it must be cooked until the flesh collapses and is soft and mushy, under-cooking it will result in spongy and flavourless eggplant.

Grilling eggplant is a perfect way to enjoy its flavour. Team with thinly sliced garlic and a scattering of fresh parsley for a quick and delicious summer side dish.

Continue reading Summertime Grilled Eggplant

So you’ve just found out that people are coming over for afternoon tea and you have nothing to give them. What you do have are some kitchen staples; flour, sugar, eggs, milk and vegetable oil.

So in the 20 minutes it would take you to get in your car, find a park, pick a cake and get back home you could already have one baking away in the oven and at a fraction of the cost.

Here’s a really quick and yummy Eastern European teacake everyone should try. The recipe comes from my mum’s neighbour, who inherited it from a friend some 29 years ago, so it’s great that her recipe can be shared here at Village Feast.

It’s quite a dense and doughy cake which smells and tastes a little like doughnuts; thanks to the cinnamon sugar. The good thing is that it’s relatively low in fat (there’s no butter!) and there are tons of variations, you can add lemon rind, drizzle with syrup or sprinkle with icing sugar, you could even try making little cupcakes for the kids.

Continue reading Quick Euro Teacake

Turli Tava, which translates as ‘mixed pan’ is a classic village meal. It’s made in one big pan and is packed with flavour.

As it’s slightly cooler today, a real contrast to the hot and sticky weather of the past few days, I thought this recipe was a perfect choice. You’ll need three types of meat and loads of mixed summer vegies, but the real hero is okra, a unique vegetable originating from Africa and a delicacy in the Middle East, Mediterranean and parts of Europe. They are often difficult to come by, but when you see them be sure to grab a couple of handfuls. Look for young pods free of bruises no more than 10cm long.

Continue reading Mixed Village Pot (Turli Tava)

Kifli, or kiflici as they are otherwise known are a much loved Eastern European delicacy. Some make them with butter and sour cream, others with lard. My families recipe is a much healthier variation, using vegetable oil and milk. The texture is soft and fluffy, ideal for moping up a juicy tomato salad or lutenka.

Often filled with a mixture of creamy cottage cheese and feta, you can get adventurous and fill with plum jam and walnuts or even nutella, sprinkling with brown sugar rather than sesame seeds.

Continue reading Fluffy Cheese Rolls (Kifli)

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better way to woo your sweetheart than with a heavenly dessert.

Tiramisu, Italian for ‘pick me up’ is one of my all time favourite desserts. I usually make the traditional mascarpone mix however, one night when I was feeling particularly peckish and a little lazy, I made up this quick ice cream version. It takes less than 5 minutes to put together and looks and tastes amazing.

Not only is it perfect for Valentine’s Day, it’s also brilliant for dinner parties and is guaranteed to impress!

Continue reading 5 Minute Tiramisu