Sirnica is a savory Bosnian pie consisting of phyllo dough that is filled with a combination of fresh cow cheese, sour cream, and eggs. Thin sheets of dough, locally known as jufka, are spread with the cheese mixture and the whole pie is traditionally rolled into a spiral. Before serving, sirnica is occasionally sprinkled with water, oil, or milk. Although it can be enjoyed on its own, this savory pie is often accompanied by yogurt or sour cream.
Zelnik is a traditional North Macedonian pie that can be filled with a variety of different ingredients such as cheese, spinach, eggs, meat, leeks, or cabbage. For the best result, zelnik should be brushed with butter and oil before baking, so that the pie develops a golden-brown color. Zelnik is best when served warm, and it is recommended to pair it with a glass of yogurt.
Syrniki is a dessert consisting of fried cottage cheese pancakes that are usually garnished with honey, fruit jam, sour cream, or applesauce. It is part of the Russian (where it's sometimes also called tvorozhniki), Belarusian, Ukrainian, Latvian and Lithuanian cuisine. Cottage cheese is traditionally first swetened with sugar, then combined with flour into a dough which is fried in hot oil until it develops a golden-brown color. Syrniki can be served for breakfast or consumed as a tasty dessert after a large meal.
Burek sa sirom is a phyllo pastry that is round or coil-shaped and filled with a mixture of cheese and eggs. The dough is made with flour, salt, and water (and perhaps a bit of oil) and stretched into translucent sheets. The sheets of phyllo dough are stacked in a large tray, and each sheet is sprinkled with oil or oil and mineral water and spread with the cheese and egg filling. Still, you might have heard that burek can only be called burek if it's filled with meat. That is, if you live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but not everyone does, nor is burek really Bosnian – in fact, it has Turkish origins. In Bosnia, burek (with meat) and other types of similar pies such as sirnica (cheese) and krumpiruša (potatoes) are usually rolled into a coil, while Croatians and Serbs have a more relaxed approach – burek can be round and cut into quarters, or rolled into a coil – both shapes are good, and both can be called burek sa sirom (when filled with cheese, of course). Initially, burek was brought over to Niš in the 15th century, and it was prepared as a round pie. After World War II, burek came to Croatia and Slovenia. The term burek sa sirom, denoting a round or coil-shaped pie filled with cheese has been so engrained into Croatian culture (for more than 50 years) that it can be considered a Croatian classic regardless of its name. The most important thing is that it's delicious, filling, and a great breakfast staple for many Serbs and Croatians, especially when paired with a refreshing cup of yogurt on the side.
Štruklji is one of the most typical Slovenian dishes, consisting of different varieties of rolled dough that is filled with either savory or sweet ingredients such as cottage cheese, walnuts, apples, and poppy seeds. They can be found throughout Slovenia–in home kitchens, restaurants, and numerous mountain huts. Štruklji can be baked or cooked, and one unique variety of the dish is especially popular during spring and summer, when štruklji are filled with fresh tarragon. Originally, the dish was prepared at celebrations and festivities in order to celebrate the end of hard labor at the farms, and the practice was present until the 1930s, when people started making štruklji throughout the year.
This savory Bosnian pie (pita) consists of thinly rolled phyllo dough that is filled with a combination of blanched spinach, fresh cow cheese, cream, and eggs. The dough is rolled into a thin sheet called jufka, which is then sprinkled with the filling and shaped into a coil. When baked, the pie is occasionally doused with warm milk or a combination of oil and water. Zeljanica is best served freshly baked, with sour cream or yogurt on the side.
Urnebes is an authentic Serbian spread consisting of salty cheese, garlic, sour cream, roasted peppers, paprika, oil, and cooked egg yolks. It is traditionally served as a side dish accompanying numerous grilled meat dishes, although it can also be used as a topping for hamburgers or as a dip. In Serbia, urnebes can be found at almost every fast food stand.
Sir i vrhnje is a favorite food of many Croatians, made by simply mixing fresh cottage cheese with sour cream. There are plenty of variations, so some like to add smoked paprika powder, salt, pepper, or minced garlic to make it taste even better. The dish is usually served for breakfast or as a light appetizer that can be paired with homemade sausages, bacon, sliced onions, or tomatoes. What was once a modest, humble dish is today an icon of Northwestern Croatian cuisine that can even be bought pre-made in many supermarkets, although the best sir i vrhnje is regularly sold at food markets.
Túrógombóc (or topfenknödel in German) are traditional Hungarian and Austrian dumplings of Bohemian origin that are made with fresh cottage cheese (túró cheese in Hungary), semolina, and eggs. The shaped dumplings are cooked and then coated in fried breadcrumbs which can be seasoned with cinnamon and vanilla. The key is to use as little semolina as possible to make the dumplings airy and light. Túrógombóc are usually served with sweetened sour cream, sweet sauces, and fruits.
Although it is a common sight in countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia, gibanica is mainly associated with Serbia. It is a traditional pie-like dish that combines phyllo dough (occasionally replaced with yeast dough) with a creamy combination of cheese and eggs. The most popular version of this versatile pie is popularly known as gužvara, meaning crumpled, in which the sheets of phyllo dough are soaked in a creamy mixture of fresh cow’s cheese and eggs. The sheets are then layered and baked in the form of a casserole. This pie-like dish can be prepared in both sweet and savory versions, depending on the region and personal preferences. In Serbia, gibanica is usually paired with yogurt and makes a perfect breakfast staple or a filling snack. Served sliced, it is also a mainstay on every festive occasion, when it is traditionally enjoyed as a cold appetizer.
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