Bulgaria

Country - Bulgaria

Cuisine Description - The Bulgarian cuisine has been influenced for a long period of time by the Turkish cuisine, as well as by the cuisine of Greece and of former Yugoslavia. In exchange, the Bulgarians affected the cuisine of these countries and furthermore, the cuisine of Wallachia and Moldova.
The Bulgarian cuisine began to have an identity of its own in the 18th century. Until that moment, people consumed the usual foods that were cooked across Europe: bread, fruits and vegetables, fish and various meats. The 19th century marked even a stronger development of the Bulgarian cooking style. Since then, people have created traditional recipes, while enhancing others, by using local ingredients and a unique style.
Some of the Bulgarian foods are known all over the world. The Bulgarian yogurt is one of them. It is made from cow milk, although sheep milk or buffalo-cow milk is also used. The last two varieties proved to have a better taste. yogurt is consumed daily by the majority of the Bulgarians. The cheese is made in different ways. The primary categories are: feta cheese, which is white and Kashkaval, which is the name given to the yellow cheese. feta cheese also has two varieties: cow feta and sheep feta. The first one is used in recipes, while the second is consumed as it is.
Vegetables are used in the Bulgarian recipes in large quantities and in a great number of combinations. The ones that are used most frequently are: cabbage, green peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, Cauliflower, lettuce, radishes, gumbo, garlic and mushrooms. Fruits are not neglected by the Bulgarians. These are either consumed raw or are the ingredients of desserts. Plums, apricots, peaches, melons and pumpkins are the most often types of fruits consumed by people.
The condiments used in the Bulgarian cuisine vary from paprika and parsley to mint and savory. Also, herbs, such as thyme and milfoil are used to enhance many of the foods.
Bulgaria is not unique only through its foods, but also through its beverages. People have created many traditional drinks and the most important are: rakia, mastica, menta, boza, ayran, and various types of beer and mineral water. In addition, there are some distinctive wines in Bulgaria. The main varieties are: Mavrud, Pamid, Gumza, Melnik wine, Misket, Pelin and Muskat. Copyright Recipes Wiki