I’m sure many of you are wondering how I didn’t know anything about this dish until recently as im sure it will be much more common in middle/eastern Europe than it is in the UK. I only discovered this dish since dating my girlfriend a couple of years back. Since then it has become one of my favourite dishes (especially with spinach) so feel I should let everyone who is as ignorant as I was know about it. If anyone has any advise on what may improve the recipe I would love to hear.
Banitsa (Bulgarian: баница, also transliterated as banica and banitza) is a traditional Bulgarian food in the Borek family prepared by layering a mixture of whisked eggs and pieces of cheese between filo pastry and then baking it in an oven.
Traditionally, lucky charms are put into the pastry on certain occasions, particularly on New Year's Eve. These charms may be coins or small symbolic objects (e.g., a small piece of a dogwood branch with a bud, symbolizing health or longevity). More recently, people have started writing happy wishes on small pieces of paper and wrapping them in tin foil. Wishes may include happiness, health, or success throughout the new year (similar to fortune cookies).
Preparation:
Take 12 pastry sheets (phyllo). Grease bottom of a pan with butter or oil. Brush 3 sheets with butter. Place sheets one atop the other. Spread 1/3 of filling. Top with 2 more sheets, each brushed with butter or oil. Spread second third of filling. Repeat one more time. Top last layer of filling with 3 oiled sheets. Bake in a moderate oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean
Banitsa Fillings
Cheese Filling
Ingredients:
4 eggs
pinch of baking soda
1/4 kg sirene (white cheese)
Beat eggs, adding baking soda, keep beating and add crumbed (or grated or crushed) cheese.
Spinach Filling
Ingredients:
1/2 kg spinach
1/2 cup yogurt
1 coffee cup oil (or melted butter)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup crumbed sirene (white cheese)
3 eggs
- Squeeze gently water from spinach (washed and cut in strips). Stew in oil (or melted butter). Leave to cool.
- Stir in cheese, eggs and yogurt.
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