Summer Fun Recipes by Ronesa Aveela

Summer Fun Recipes

Submitted by Ronesa Aveela

During these hot summer days, many people eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer heavy meals. Bulgarian cuisine is not any different. Some of my favorites summer dishes are made with yogurt. Did you know Bulgarians created yogurt? Truly, they did. Way back in the time of the Thracians. I kid you not. You can find more than three hundred varieties in the country, and many popular dishes are made with yogurt. The good bacteria in the yogurt is called Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Yogurt is a favorite ingredient in summer drinks, cold soups, salads, desserts, and main dishes. Another main ingredient in almost all of them is garlic.

Here are some of my favorites.

Airan (Айран) –a refreshing drink

Mix yogurt into a glass of water. Add a little salt and stir well to obtain a consistent mixture. I add one or two ice cubes. It refreshes, saturates, and hydrates.

Snow White Salad –(Snejanka) a delicious milk salad

During the summer or even in the winter, my kids like this salad. I use the same products that are described for Tarator, but I don’t add water. If you have time, you can let the yogurt drain to make it thicker. Mix all products and serve cold like a salad. Add some pita bread and you have a dinner or lunch. It can be used as a side dish for BBQ meat or gyros. Tarator (Таратор) –cold cucumber soup

This will help you cool down in the hot summer.

Ingredients:

• cucumbers –1 larger European or 2 medium sized yogurt –32 oz (2 lb) walnuts –1 handful crushed (optional) garlic –2 to 3 cloves or to taste water –2-3 cups fresh dill –to taste

olive oil or regular –3 to 4 tbsp. salt to taste

Black pepper –freshly ground to taste

White pepper — 3 pinches Peel the cucumbers, leaving only thin slices of the dark green part, which will give a more pleasant look to the tarator. Grate it or cut it into small cubes. I prefer to grate, because it tastes better. Beat 2 cups of yogurt well and pour them into a saucepan. Add enough cold water to get the tarator to the density you want. Add cucumbers, as well as grated or finely chopped garlic, some crushed walnuts, finely chopped dill, black and white pepper to taste. Finally, mix with olive oil / other oil and salt to taste. Put in the refrigerator to chill. If you don’t have time, put an ice cube in each bowl. I like to serve in bowls and garnish with crushed walnuts and a sprig of dill and serve.

Zucchini with Yogurt –A simple, but yummy salad

Here is another salad you can make easy with fried zucchini.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain yogurt

2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill 1 small clove garlic, grated 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice salt freshly ground black pepper 1 lb (500 g) zucchini 1 teaspoon olive oil

Cook under broiler.

Prepare Dill Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, dill, garlic, and lemon juice. If necessary add a few drops of water to make the mixture of pourable consistency.

Season to taste with salt and a pinch of black pepper.

Set aside.

Prepare Zucchini

Trim the ends off the zucchini and cut it into thin slices or strips (circles or long strips).

Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Place the zucchini in an oven-proof skillet or pan and broil, flipping occasionally, about 10 minutes until slightly charred and tender, but not mushy. Final Steps : Remove from broiler. Serve zucchini warm or chilled, covered or dipped in the yogurt-dill sauce. Alternatives : If you want a richer taste, coat the zucchini with flour. Place the pieces (circles or strips) into a frying pan with about a half inch of heated oil. Fry the zucchini pieces until they are golden brown and crispy. In the summer, you can use a grill instead.

Eggs over yogurt –a light and quick dinner

After a busy day, you can prepare a quick Bulgarian dinner. Ingredients:

eggs –2 to 3. yogurt –4 to 5 Tablespoons red pepper –1/2 k. (spicy or sweet) salt to taste

oil –for frying chopped garlic small spoonful of butter to add some twist; we love butter! In heated but not hot oil, add each of the eggs. Fry them like you do sunny side up. I do mine medium, to make sure they’re soft. On a plate on which you’ll serve the eggs, pour the yogurt, salt to taste, and garlic. Remove the fired eggs from the oil with a slotted spoon or spatula and place on the yogurt. Sprinkle them with paprika and pour a teaspoon or two of melted butter on them. Serve with toast and green garlic or onion.

Yogurt with honey and walnuts –a tasty dessert

Last, but not the least, it’s time for dessert. If you don’t like honey, you can replace it with strawberries. It’s a delicious dessert that’s healthy and easy to make. Your kids will love this no-bake treat that’s full of protein. Tip : When buying yogurt, make sure the Lactobacillus bulgaricusbacteria is listed in the ingredients.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup yogurt

1 Tablespoon crushed walnuts cinnamon to taste

1 Tablespoon honey, more or less, to taste. Spoon the yogurt into a small dessert dish. Sprinkle crushed walnuts on top. You can toast the walnuts lightly in a hot skillet if you’d like, to bring out more of their natural flavor. I like to put them in water, then rinse and sprinkle them with brown sugar. Next, put them on a paper towel and bake them for one minute in a microwave. Once they’re cold, sprinkle the nuts over the yogurt. Then top it with cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Serve and enjoy! And don’t forget to make a tea with a spoonful of honey.

For more traditional Bulgarian recipes, get a copy of our cookbook, Mediterranean and Bulgarian Cuisine: 12 Easy Traditional Favorites.

Ronesa Aveela is “the creative power of two.” Two authors that is. The main force behind the work, the creative genius, was born in Bulgaria and moved to the US in the 1990s. She grew up with stories of wild Samodivi, Kikimora, the dragons Zmey and Lamia, Baba Yaga, and much more. Her writing partner was born and raised in the New England area. She has a background in writing and editing, as well as having a love of all things from different cultures. She’s learned so much about Bulgarian culture, folklore, and rituals, and writes to share that knowledge with others. https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/ronesa-aveela/