Food

Pitka “Kifli” ( Butter bread)

By Annie Holland / April 8, 2011

In Bulgaria we celebrate the first steps a child takes and honestly to me, that’s a big of deal. Making the first steps, the beginning of the “exploration” phase in the child’s life, it’s huge and it deserves a celebration. We celebrate it as a “coming of age” thing, but earlier version. All the relatives…

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Vegetarian Dolmades

By Annie Holland / March 16, 2011

For the dolmades: 4 tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped2 cups diced baby bella mushrooms1/2 cup finely chopped carrots2 cups white rice 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped2 cups water 2 tsp ground cuminSalt and pepper to taste 1 (8-ounce) jar grape leaves, rinsed and drained 3 cups of water to blanch the leaves For the dressing:…

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Brunch for champions

By Annie Holland / February 20, 2011

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up Sunday morning and have this brought to you in bed with the paper and a kiss? Well, I hope that special someone in your life reads this post tomorrow and surprises you! Simple, delicious, comforting, what more does one need to feel loved? You will need( for 2): 6…

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Bowl of chili for the chilly weather

By Annie Holland / January 11, 2011

  My son’s school has a Harvest festival each October and every time they have chili for sale.  When I saw the chili for the first time I told myself ” There is no way in hell I’m eating this!”, but when I finally tried it, I was pleasantly surprised, because it was really delicious!…

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The proverbial Crocodile

By Annie Holland / January 7, 2011

Five years ago in the Bulgarian forum I’m visiting from time to time a lady posted for the first time the recipe for this “crocodile” and soon pretty much everyone I knew tried the recipe. Now don’t get  me wrong- I don’t mind the recipe being popular…but it it was quite quite overwhelming feeling to…

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Bulgarian navy beans in a clay pot ( or slow cooker)

By Annie Holland / December 30, 2010

I have been asked to post the recipe for my Christmas Eve navy beans in the clay pot, and here it is! Bulgarian navy beans in a clay pot ( or slow cooker) Ingredients: For the clay pot in the beginning: 2 packages navy beans ( 500 gram)1 red onion, chopped1 white onion, chopped3 cloves…

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Bulgarian Christmas Eve in the US in pictures – 2010

By Annie Holland / December 29, 2010

 What is Christmas without sweets? Thank you, Tannita for the wonderful Turkish delight Melting moments!          Bulgarian baking soda flat bread ( on Christmas we can’t have “live” ingredients in our bread)    Candles, fresh fruit, nuts, whole onions and garlic in hope to bring abundance next year   Dolmades with yogurt dressing Sauerkraut…

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Merry Christmas!

By Annie Holland / December 21, 2010

I’ve been busy baking and stuffing, and sowing and drawing, and packing ( and snacking), but I wanted to say a very Merry Christmas to you all! Since we’ve come to the US I started a tradition in our house-  to bake cookies and give them away to friends.  It’s huge fun to do that…

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Table arrangement in gold, blue, green and vanilla

By Annie Holland / November 16, 2010

We had a friend coming over and it was a special occasion  and I wanted the table arrangement to be different. I had very little time and I had to use imagination, pair of scissors, some ribbon and candles and sparkle stones.  I have used only things I found at home, I didn’t buy anything…

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Going bananas for banana bread!

By Annie Holland / July 11, 2010

The first banana bread I baked was in the bread maker. I used one of the recipes in the handbook that came with the bread maker…and it came out awful! It was under baked, it was sticky and gooey. Only I know about this bread though, because I didn’t serve it. ( thanks, Julia Child…

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