In this episode, we welcome Raya to guide us through the flavour of the Balkans. We'll be diving into a beloved Bulgarian specialty that combines simplicity with deliciousness, ideal for anyone on a budget. We are preparing Banitsa, a savoury pastry that's a staple in Bulgarian cuisine.

 Friendly

• Vegetarian: yes
• Vegan: no
• Gluten: can be

Ingredients

• Pastry sheets (yufka)
• 400g of feta cheese
• 5 eggs
• Olive oil
• 8g baking powder
• Churbitza (Savoury spices)
• Sparkling water
• 100 ml of plain yoghurt

Appliances

• Oven and oven tray
• Blender (optional)

Where to get them?

• Turkish store (for the Yufka)
• Any supermarket!

Serves: 4 - 5

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. In a bowl, mix together crumbled feta cheese, eggs, and a splash of yogurt to create the filling.
3. Carefully unroll filo pastry sheets. Brush one sheet with melted butter, then place a spoonful of the cheese mixture along one edge.
4. Roll the sheet into a log, then coil the log into a spiral shape. Place in a baking dish.

5. Repeat with remaining filo sheets and filling, placing each coil against the last to fill the dish. Brush the top with more melted butter and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve warm.