The Italians and Hungarians have stuffed peppers; in the former Yugoslav countries both stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage leaves are popular; and in Greece the recipe becomes stuffed vine leaves. This culinary heritage of filling whatever vegetable you have available with a simple meat stuffing is fascinatingly diverse but also shows the connection between these... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #9: Potica
This is an authentic Slovenian cake recipe which dates back to the Middle Ages. It is traditionally served at weddings, at Easter and of course at Christmas, which makes it the perfect festive recipe to share with you today. It can be made with a variety of fillings, the most popular and traditional being walnuts... Continue Reading →
Experiments in Taste #1: Alcohol Free Christmas Bakes!
I'm taking a break from Slovene Cuisine this week to bring you my first ever 'Experiment in Taste.' I know that I have several sober-heroes amongst my regular readers, so I wanted to share with you the recipes I've been using to make my favourite traditional British Christmas bakes minus the alcohol. Alchohol-free Traditional Christmas... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #8: Christmas Cookies!
This week, my son's teacher sent us a recipe for Christmas honey biscuits which I thought would make a nice (if a little messy) activity over the weekend. I was not wrong. This is a fun and easy recipe to make with children, but be warned - things could get messy... Ingredients I've called the... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #6: Gibanica
Gibanica is possibly the most calorie-dense cake in the world. Perfect for when you've just climbed a towering Alpine peak. Or maybe you just have a craving for something decadently indulgent. If so, read on to find out more. Prekmurska Gibanica Prekmurska Gibanica, to give the desert its full title, originates from the Prekmurje region... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #5: Kranjska Klobasa
Kranjska klobasa literally means 'sausage from the Kranjska (Carniola) region.' It is an authentic Slovene product which has gained worldwide fame and popularity. Read on to find out more about Slovenia's most iconic sausage! Origins and ingredients of the Kranjska Klobasa Kranjska klobasa gained 'Protected Geographical Indication' status in 2015, meaning that a sausage can... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #4: Soup of the Day
There is a saying in Slovenia: brez juhice ni kosila - 'without soup, there is no dinner.' It is traditional to serve soup as a starter with the main meal of the day in Slovenia. You will always find a dnevna juha - 'soup of the day' on the menu in traditional gostilnas (pubs with... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #3: Bled Cream Slice
No trip to Bled would be complete without sampling the local sweet-toothed delicacy: Kremšnita or Bled Cream Cake. The name Kremšnita is a 'Slovenisation' of the German Cremeschnitte, so you will sometimes find it referred to as the more Slovenian-sounding Kremna Rezina. A cake by any other name would taste as sweet? You decide... History... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #2: Goulash
'Wait!' I hear you cry: 'Goulash is from Hungary! Or is it Austria? It certainly isn't from Slovenia!' While it's true that Goulash has its origins in Austro-Hungarian cuisine, it is very popular all over Slovenia owing to the fact that Slovenia was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Read on to find out more,... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #1: Istrian Pasta with Truffles
If you've been following Postcards from Slovenia, or if you've ever visited Slovenia yourself, you'll know it has stunning mountain scenery, fascinating and beautiful cities, a delightful coastline as well as many other historical and natural attractions. But there's one aspect of life in Slovenia I haven't touched on yet, and I feel it deserves... Continue Reading →