The national cuisine of a country is formed over centuries. Each one has borrowed something from somewhere. This variety and mixture of tastes has arisen from the very movement and migration of peoples. Many products were unknown, but after the discovery of new lands and continents successfully cultivated in other places.
Bulgarian cuisine is no exception because of its location and the very way of life. Even if someone disputes the nationality of some dishes, we can easily list some typical dishes.
Here are the two most emblematic Bulgarian dishes:
Bean Soup
First of all, we will mention the traditional bean soup. We have heard about a simmering pot of aromatic bean soup in many folktales. Bean soup is prepared from boiled beans, vegetables and must be seasoned with horseradish.
Wheat bread (Pogacha)
Golden baked wheat bread always goes well with the bean soup. It is invariably on the table and is a symbol associated with Bulgarian traditions.
Yogurt
The most emblematic food in Bulgarian cuisine is yogurt, which they are known for almost all over the world. Yogurt is a product obtained by fermentation of milk. Fermentation is due to two bacteria – Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus,
Tarator
With yogurt, we can prepare another traditional dish - tarator. Tarator is a type of cold soup made from yogurt, water, finely chopped cucumber, dill, crushed garlic, oil and salt.
Moussaka
Another emblematic dish is moussaka. It is prepared from minced meat, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and topping, which are baked in an oven.
Shopska salad
A Bulgarian's table should also have a nice fresh salad for a cold apricot brandy - the Shopska salad, made from fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted peppers, onions and sprinkled with fresh parsley and grated cheese.
Shopski-style cheese
Shopski-style cheese is prepared with cow's cheese, for which any fan of good cuisine would envy us. Quick, easy and delicious. For it we need white cheese, egg, tomatoes and cow's butter.
Sarma
Sarma is a traditional dish made from vine leaves in summer and sauerkraut in winter. They can be lean, with rice only or with meat or minced meat.
Kapama
In many regions of Bulgaria, kapama is prepared for Christmas (and not only at Christmas). The secret of the delicious kapama is the combination of sauerkraut with different types of meat. The most famous is, of course, the Banska Kapama.
Tripe soup
This list must include tripe soup, made from boiled and chopped beef or pork tripe in combination with lots of garlic, vinegar, cayenne pepper or peppers.
Fish soup
As a country rich in water resources, naturally fish and fish soup are revered. The traditional fish soup is a clear soup with several types of fish and lovage for flavor.
Boiled Beef
Boiled beef is a clear soup from beef, carrot, potatoes and celery. The aromatic soup is preferred by young and old.
Mixed grill
A favorite dish of every self-respecting Bulgarian is the mixed grill. There is no Bulgarian restaurant that does not offer huge portions consisting of grilled meatballs, kebabs and pork steak.
Cheverme
Although in recent years lamb is eaten less often, cheverme is an emblematic dish for St. George's Day. On this day, lamb or kid is roasted on the grill or in a preheated oven.
Liver Sarma
For St. George's Day, liver sarma is prepared. The main products from which it is prepared are lamb offal, green onion or onion, lovage, spearmint, paprika and black pepper, rice, flour, yogurt and eggs.
Stuffed peppers
Stuffed peppers - beloved by generations in any version - with rice and minced meat, with leeks and onions, with mushrooms and rice, with beans, with cheese.
Kavarma
Kavarma is emblematic for Bulgarian cuisine. This is baked in the oven, in guvec pots - meat, pork or chicken, onion, savory herb, peppers, black pepper, salt.
Panagyurski-style eggs
Panagyurski-style eggs are a typical Bulgarian a la minute, prepared from the popular eggs covered in a yogurt and garlic sauce and fried paprika topping.
Lutenitsa
Lutenitsa is the most frequently used product for the preparation of a quick breakfast, and the recipe for it is passed down from generation to generation. The main products in it are red peppers and tomatoes.
Tikvenik
Tikvenik, another typical Bulgarian dish is a kind of sweet pastry with a filling from grated pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon and possibly walnuts.
There are many dishes that can be marked as emblematic. Some of them are modest, others festive. If they are to be included in this list, they must include kurban soup, meatball soup, mixed salad, shepherd's salad, guvec, pork with sauerkraut, zelnik, patatnik, banitza, mekitsi, rice pudding, etc.
