Russian salad, Olivier salad or sallatë Ruse as it’s called in Albanian is a traditional Russian and Eastern European side dish usually prepared for holidays or special occasions. In Albania this eye catching, delicious and colorful vegetable dish was made particularly for New Year’s Eve dinner and it was present on almost all tables. Main ingredients are potatoes, carrots, eggs and mayonnaise. Olivier salad is best when all ingredients are diced to the same size. Dice everything pea-sized for best look, taste and texture.
Russian Salad (Sallatë Ruse)
Albanian Cornbread with Feta Cheese (Bukë Misri me Djathë)
Albanian cornbread is a tender crumbly type of bread made with cornmeal, egg, milk and baking powder batter. You can eat it plain with cheese, olives, serve it with stews, soups, salads or use it as stuffing. Albanian cornbread can be made in different versions: plain or with, leeks, spinach, zucchini and feta cheese.
One-Pan Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggs (Fërgesë)
One-pan tomatoes, peppers and eggs or fërgesë is a traditional Albanian dish. It is a one-pan meal which is made with four ingredients: green peppers, ripe tomatoes, eggs and feta cheese. Cured meats could be added on this dish depending on region and the season when it’s made. The word fërgesë in Albanian means to sauté or fry. Tomato based stews were common throughout the former Ottoman Empire and Middle East with some variations. Some are meatless such as this recipe. Similar to this is Shakshouka in Middle East or Turkish Menemen.
Albanian Spinach Pie (Byrek Me Spinaq)
Albanian spinach pie is a savory dish made with flaky baked phyllo dough layers filled with spinach, feta cheese, eggs and herbs for flavor. Byrek is traditionally made with several phyllo dough sheets that have been thinly rolled out by hand. It can also be made with ready made pre-rolled phyllo pastry sheets.
Albanian Vegetable Stew (Gjellë me Perime – Turli)
Albanian vegetable stew, thick, rich and creamy is a colorful satisfying meal that you can make it in any season. There are many individual variations in Mediterranean dish, but all feature summer vegetables like eggplants, zucchini, butternut squash, string beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onion, garlic and basil. In Albania vegetable stew is called Gjelle Turli, in southern Italy Ciambotta and France it is called Ratatouille.
Poached Egg Over Rice Spinach (Burani me Spinaq dhe Vezë)
Poached Egg Over Rice Spinach or Burani is the traditional dish with eggs poached on top. Healthy and nutritious, this dish is a one pot meal that is very easy and quick to make.