Global Recipes: Kesiana Nasto Gushi Shares Delicious, Must-Try Albanian Recipes For the Winter
One of the most popular quarantine past times has been cooking and baking. Families all over the world have tried new recipes and embarked on exciting food adventures, right from their own kitchens. As a global platform, we love to bring recipes from different countries. Today’s woman dreamer, Kesiana Nasto Gushi, born and raised in Albania, shares her family’s favorite traditional recipes, including a delicious baked okra and savory baked pie, known as Byrek. Looking for a culinary adventure at home this weekend? Enjoy her exciting recipes!
Kesiana’s Story
My native country, Albania is a small country rich in culinary traditions among many others. Albania is situated geographically in the Mediterranean, Balkan and South East regions in Europe giving it a distinct advantage for its location and climate. Many foods that are common in the Mediterranean such as olives, wheat, chickpeas, dairy products, fish, meat,fruits and vegetables, are prominent in the Albanian cooking tradition. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, figs and olives thrive in the country.
I am born and raced in Albania. I have a nursing degree from the university of Korca, Albania.
I have 1 child. I enjoy cooking, sewing, knitting, cross stitching. I love traveling and learning about different cultures.
Two Must-Try Albanian Recipes for the Winter
Baked okra
INGREDIENTS
1.5 lbs okra you can add up to 2 lbs
1 big onions
4 tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato sauce
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small green pepper, 1 small red pepper.
1 carrot
1 big potato
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
4 tbsp olive oil
bay leaves
INSTRUCTION
1. Chop the onions and tomatoes in small cubes.
2. Mince the garlic.Saute chopped onions and olive oil in medium heat while stirring and mixing with a wooden spoon.
3. Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped parsley, carrot, potato, bay leaves and mix well.
4. Then add salt, pepper and chopped green and red pepper.
5. At the end add the okra, and mix really careful, we don't want the okra to open and loose their shape. Turn oven on at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Pour the okra mix into a baking dish. Bake it for about 45 minutes in the middle rack. If you like the okra to be a bit crispy on the surface, add broiling for 5 minutes at the end.
Byrek
Byrek with meat is my grandmother recipe. It is traditional for new year. On January first all family gathered for lunch. One person in family hide a silver coin into meat pie, and we choose a part. The person who is finding the coin will have a great year, with money and health.
Ingredients
For the filling
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 - 4 medium onion chopped
2 pound pork or steak finely diced
garlic
bay leaves
oregano
fresh mint
black pepper
parsley
For the dough
1 pound flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup water
½ cup butter 1 stick, melted
Instructions
To make the filling
In a large bowl, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced beef and fry for 5 minutes. Add the onions and cook, until the onions are soft.
Add garlic,mint,oregano,bay leaves,parsley, salt and black pepper.Cover and simmer until most of the liquid is evaporated and the sauce is thickened.
To make the dough
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, olive oil, and water until the dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured work surface and knead until the dough is smooth, elastic, soft, and doesn't stick to your fingers, about 10 minutes.
Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and knead them into a ball shape. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Working with one piece at a time (keep the rest covered)
To assemble
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease the pan. Place one sheet of fillo into the prepared pan and gently pull up the ends. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Repeat with five more sheets.
Spread the filling on top of sheets to cover completely. Repeat layering and brushing with butter the remaining six fillo sheets. Fold the sides up.
Brush the top of the pie with the melted butter. Bake the byrek until golden brown in color, about 40 to 50 minutes.