Balkan delight: Discovering the crispy charm
If you enjoy warm breakfasts, you should try priganice – Balkan pancakes that win hearts with their simplicity and taste. Unlike pancakes, priganice are made with just three ingredients, and cooking them takes only a moment. They're the perfect option for a quick and satisfying morning meal.
Priganice are traditional Balkan pancakes popular in countries such as Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They're often served for breakfast but also work well as a snack or a side dish. Their secret lies in their simplicity – you don't need yeast or lengthy dough preparation. Just flour, water, and a pinch of salt are enough to create golden, crispy pancakes that taste great whether sweet or savoury.
What are priganice?
Made with just a few basic ingredients like flour, water, and salt, they are inexpensive and easy to prepare. Their name comes from the word "prigati," which means "to fry" in Balkan languages, perfectly encapsulating the essence of this dish.
Priganice are fried in deep oil, making them crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside. They can be served sweet, with honey, jam, or icing sugar, or savoury – with feta cheese, natural yoghurt, ajvar, or cold cuts. In the Balkans, they are often prepared for breakfast, but they can also serve as a snack or a side dish.
Recipe for priganice
Priganice is a symbol of the simplicity of Balkan cuisine, where filling and tasty dishes are created from a few ingredients. In many homes, they are served in a festive version with honey and nuts, making them a special dish for special occasions.
Ingredients:
- wheat flour (about 500 grams),
- water (about 250 millilitres),
- salt (a pinch),
- oil for frying.
Preparation:
- In a bowl, pour the flour, add salt, and gradually add water, mixing until a smooth, sticky dough forms. Heat oil in a pot or pan.
- With a spoon, scoop portions of the dough and gently place them in the hot oil, frying the pancakes on both sides until golden.
- Remove them onto a paper towel to drain excess oil and serve warm with your favourite toppings.
How to serve priganice?
Priganice are incredibly versatile – you can serve them sweet with honey, jam, or icing sugar, or savoury, with feta cheese, natural yoghurt, or cold cuts. In the Balkans, they are often served with ajvar or homemade cheese, giving them a distinctive regional flavour. This is a dish that can be customised to your liking, so it always brings a fresh experience.
